Our oath of enlistment was to the Constitution of the United States, not to any Fuehrer !! We are expected to follow our leadership only insofar as they adhere to the Constitution!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oath of Enlistment
I, _name____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
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Please recall; even the Nazis at Nuremburg were not allowed to skate by claiming "I was just following my leader's orders"
Our own military has come out saying that we are not to follow illegal orders. If and when any leader, even a C-in-C when he ignores or countermands the constitution, becomes a "domestic enemy" of that constitution.
Throughout our history, Americans have never respected troops who were simply "marching zombies".
Some of you seem to think that American troops should perform as automatons, but I believe most American veterans would disagree with you, just as I and my fellow Legionaires do. That's why American, Canadian, British and Austrailian troops don't march in the "goose-step" manner. We are from relatively free nations...
Dictators.. Soviet Union, North Korea, Nazis, and Iran, etc, force their troops to march "goose step"..and that's how they expect them to THINK!! Free nations don't expect such "mind control" to be exerted upon our troops... give us a break!
I have personal acquaintance with several current troops (mostly elite, combat experienced troops) and they think for themselves..yes, even when going into combat. They do their duty..but still have active brain cells..