when and why would or should the military stand down and refuse to follow an order

PO2 Pete Haga — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 22:24:44 -0500

I personally feel that the Guard should have stood down at Kent State and not used deadly force on American citizens. and with the patriot act how far should our government go looking in to what we are doing and who we are talking to this is still the land of the free. and all citizens still have the right to privacy.

Response by SFC James Baber made Mar 18 at 2014 10:03 PM

SFC James Baber — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 22:03:57 -0400

I think the current military will never realize the problems and indiscretions of our past leaders and what transpired over the last few decades of the Cold War.

With current administration, I fear the possibility of what could be used against the military or its private citizens with what has been done with "fast and furious", and with the continued weapon stocking of DHS, it makes me curious as to why and what the intent of the POTUS is for these issues that have occurred and continue to this day with no blowback or answering for as well.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Mar 12 at 2015 2:51 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 14:51:54 -0400

How about this situation: http://benswann.com/graham-military-force-congress/

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/would-you-obey-an-order-to-restrict-congress-to-dc-until-they-increase-defense-spending

I think it's pretty clear that this would be an unlawful order, that should most certainly be disobeyed.

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Mar 30 at 2017 12:36 PM

CSM Thomas McGarry — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 12:36:57 -0400

Certainly you may be correct, however and correct me if I'm wrongt-I don't believe an order was ever given to fire on the protesting students in spite of the fact that had burned down the ROTC building and were responsible for other widespead damage. Remember one thing, it is always easy to be an armchair quarterback and criticize these soldiers actions after the fact-Do you honestly believe that the protesting students bear no culpability in what happened?

Response by SFC Don Ward made Mar 3 at 2018 8:13 PM

SFC Don Ward — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 20:13:48 -0500

None of these answers go to the question of how many soldiers would face off against American citizens should the order come down to "turn in" semi automatic weapons and the refusal that would follow. I had one SSG tell me that he would definitely go door to door to seize weapons. His opinion was that Germany had a better system than we do, and he was planning on retiring there.