[fr_freak]

The story at that link is complete BS. Only someone who has never actually been in the military would believe that you could find more than just a few fringe types in the US military who would be willing shoot their own family members, or any other American without a damn good reason. It's always the anti-military left-wingers who think that US military guys are just brainwashed robots, instead of regular Americans.

[familyop]

Thank you for your comment #33.

[Marie]

You're very correct. Yes, many would fire, but only if they *had* to for *very* valid reasons. (And most wouldn't fire on their family members for *any* reason.)

The people who are in the position to actually give such orders, never would. Heck, they'd probably organize a coup if the "grand high mucky-mucks" ever lost their minds and ordered such things.

Soldiers are people, too.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

The story at that link is complete BS. Only someone who has never actually been in the military would believe that you could find more than just a few fringe types in the US military who would be willing shoot their own family members, or any other American without a damn good reason. It's always the anti-military left-wingers who think that US military guys are just brainwashed robots, instead of regular Americans.

I was in the army in the late 1960's. We in the First Army trained one summer in riot control. Mostly we drilled in line and wedge formations with bayonets mounted. We were instructed that the commanders had seven levels of force to call upon. The seventh was the order given to shoot. These would be Americans that we would shoot.

I seem to recall reading about veteran demonstrations being routed by the Army in the early 1900's. I believe some were killed. Perhaps some FR historians know more about this.

[Secret Agent Man]

Well, the guy later said he had changed his mind about it.

It made me pause because I do remember the story that the same thing was being asked in a questionnaire at 29 Palms in the 90’s. Almost all of the lower level marines (I believe it’s the marines) asked would not do it. Higher ups were more likely to say yes.