Would the Military Fire on Their Own People?

[JohnyMac]

From our friends out over at American Parisian?

 https://www.americanpartisan.org/2023/04/would-the-military-fire-on-their-own-people/

[Jackalope]

Silly question, of course the military would fire on fellow citizens.

[Nemo]

I think a notable percentage would not.  I could be wrong and may be crediting all that to good old American beliefs in law and due process.

Nemo

[pkveazey]

Hmmmm..... That's actually a tough one to answer. During the French Revolution the Army stood with the people and they didn't fire on the people. In todays world, I think it will totally depend on the circumstance. If we have a second Civil War, I think the soldiers will be given the same oportunity they were given back in 1861. They could stay in the Army or leave and fight for the other side. General Lee, chose to be a Virginian first so he left and fought for the South. I have been told that if we faced a similar circumstance, many of the Military bases would be taken over by the majority of their cause and those that had opposing views would be allowed or forced to just leave. If its just a civil unrest situation, then I actually do believe that the military would fire on civilians but only if they were given direct orders to do it.

[CJS06]

I feel un-doubtably that they would. I forget who, maybe Milgram(Phd) who suggested that between 65-80% of people have a propensity to follow orders, even when they are illegal or unethical. He did a number of obedience studies, including those related to the Nazi Reserve Police Units during WWII. 

There is no reason to believe that our current military would operate any differently.  Maybe a higher percentage would be able to resist the unjust orders because of our long standing beliefs. That said a decent percentage would still go along.

Chris

[JohnyMac]

Its the old 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 rule of taking over a company (Acquisition).

1/3 of the old company will welcome the new company with open arms.

1/3 of the old company will remain on the fence to see what happens.

1/3 of the old company will "self elect" to leave within the first 60-days.

So for this question, 1/3 would not shoot on civilians. That leaves ~2/3 that would. Doesn't mean that they wouldn't follow suit and leave after the first salvo though. 

[RB in GA]

The US has a long history of the military firing on it's people. George Washington ordered it to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion, US troops fought the Mormons in Utah, and then there's the War Between the States.  List can go on.   Why would today be any different?

[JohnyMac]

Don't forget the Bonus Army.

Major Gorge Patton along with Major Dwight Eisenhower led the clearing of the WW I soldiers AKA The Bonus Army.

[grizz]

The US has a long history of the military firing on it's people. George Washington ordered it to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion, US troops fought the Mormons in Utah, and then there's the War Between the States.  List can go on.   Why would today be any different?

Lets not forget Waco and Ruby Ridge

[JohnyMac]

Amen Grizz however, they were alphabet agencies not US soldiers.

[grizz]

Amen Grizz however, they were alphabet agencies not US soldiers.

Both work for the govt