Yes, they will fire on US citizens. Google the “29 Palms Questionnaire”, circa 1998 or 99. Marines were asked if they would fire on American citizens if they were given a lawful order. Most answered yes. I’ve not seen this questionnaire since I first read in in the late 80s so I’ll need to find a copy if one is available. But what I’ve written above is really close to it.
How many of those Marines said that because they believed it and how many of them said that because they knew they’d be punished if they said otherwise? Questions on a piece of paper and actions on the field are two different things.
Also, the fact that even countries like Nazi Germany and the USSR had to create special political armies to deal with their civilian populations should say how much the military enjoys being used as a politician’s bully boys.
May 10, 1994 "Combat Arms Survey" administered to 300 active-duty Marines at the USMC's Air-Ground Combat Center, Twenty-Nine Palms, California
That might be true. But a large number would turn around and frag their commander’s ass...It has happened many times.
That might be true. But a large number would turn around and frag their commander’s ass...It has happened many times.
This may be a case of manipulation-by-poll that we see every day in America. First you start with a ridiculous proposition, ie. That shooting Americans en masse could be a "Lawful Order". Then you ask the young Marine fresh from combat indoctinations, "Would you follow a Lawful Order? I suggest the details of the order don't matter. The Marine will say "Yes" because that is what he has been trained to do in a combat situation.
“Yes, they will fire on US citizens.”
You’re wrong, and your reply is exactly the opposite of the poll results.
About 64% of Marines said they would not fire on American civilians. Those most likely to obey orders were recruits and Marines who has been in the service for a short time. Those Marines who said they would shoot would quickly be set straight by platoon sergeants and other Marines.
Another poll from that period showed that 90% of officers identified themselves as conservatives or Republicans. The leftists in the newsrooms had a fit.
*sigh*, I was given that questionaire. It was before 1996 tho - when I left my Btry. I remember being really busy that day and someone grabbed me out of the blue and told me to sit down and take this survery out in front of the PX at Camp Wilson (staging area for heading out into the boonies) really quick. Since it was really an out of the blue thing I remember being highly confused/offended by the question but I dont remember answering it.