Every human being is born with the ability to do great harm and great good, be it to others or ourselves. I ask for feedback.

SPC Allison Joy Cumming — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 12:55:26 -0400

Every human being is born with the ability to do great harm and great good, be it to others or ourselves. I ask for feedback from my fellow RallyPoint members about my opinion.

We are trained to nurture our ability to enforce great harm upon our enemies and protect our fellow comrades and the United States of America at any cost including our lives. However, we are not trained to nurture our ability to do great good for ourselves and within the world. If a person recognizes that the ability to do both lies within and not without does that soldier have a better understanding of how to reconcile actions taken while at war?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 1:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 13:05:26 -0400

It all depends on your experience, maturity, and how you cope with obstacles.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 23 at 2015 1:12 PM

LTC John Shaw — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 13:12:03 -0400

We are trainee to nurture. Typically by our mother, father family and close friends. We must model this behavior for our children and peers. It takes listening and answering with thoughtful reflection. Also through spending time with other people with no expectations of outcome.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Jul 23 at 2015 2:30 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 14:30:14 -0400

I would not say we are BORN with this trait but rather it is taught to us. Todays society is a demented society if you ask me, Kids are allowed to run amok in our communities and crime among youth has exploded since I was a kid. The laws protect them in many ways that it didnt back in the day. Fore the most part todays youth in America has learned that they can over step boundaries with no real consequences so to speak of. They see a government that is corrupt and the moving trend is to tell the parents that they are the problem when a child steals or is arrested for drugs or even taking another s life not the system that has all but banned the parent from disciplining the child with out fear of jail time or a visit from the Child Protective Services. Muslims are taught (as are most Communists) from birth on that we are the "Western Devils" and that to die trying to kill us is a great honor, we think they are animals and they think we are animals because of our beliefs.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2015 3:06 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:06:54 -0400

I think that some qualities are innate and others are learned. Survival is an instinct and that is when this really boils down to. Not everyone possesses the desire to protect friends, family, fellow soldiers... that is why the percentage of the population who either go into a civilian career which protects or the military is so small. Less than half a percent of todays population joins the military. The ability to reconcile what you did or didn't do during war has to come from within and your own knowledge of the situation that occurred. If while I'm saving the life of one and another is killed, was what I did the right thing? I saved a life but I feel guilt because of a life lost may be overwhelming. Focus on the reality of the situation, was it justified?

Response by SFC Terry Clay made Jul 24 at 2015 3:01 PM

SFC Terry Clay — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 15:01:56 -0400

I have now written and deleted three responses to this question..... what changed my mind this last time? I walked down the hall of my local VA hospital. In each clinic, ward or reception area was a veteran/ employee, a lot of them served in combat roles. OEF/ OIF, Panama, Somalia... and now they are the most caring and compassionate people I have ever had the pleasure to work with. They come from all walks of life and yet their common goal after their miltary service is to give back. I think it is within all of us - to be both