I think it goes beyond learning to follow order. I think it gets to where you just do what you are told to do without even thinking about it. Seems like a bad thing to train someone to do, except that in combat it usually is the difference between life and death.
My late father was in the Army during WWII. All I heard all my life was:"When I say do something, just do it. It may save your life someday. We can argue about it later."
I hated that! Still not positive it applies in civiian life above the age of 10 or so. I do see the value in combat.