Reply #5: Thats an over simplification

[razors edge]

of the enlisted mans lot in life. As a former enlisted Marine I can tell you that questioning orders is not looked upon lightly.

The men in Canada found out that hard fact of life, they signed up for this service and the service of an enlisted man does not include the right to question a lawful order. The rules are very simple for an enlisted man, carry out the order and protest later. This also allows the enlisted man to be protected from war crimes charges in most cases.

The rules for a officer are different, as Lt Watada's case has shown. He did not have to flee the United States jurisdiction to make his case and has so far been successful in his case.

It is very easy for someone who has never been in that situation to hope the men would refuse a lawful order "en masse." without any further consideration as to the fate of the men who may do such. If Marine Corps boot camp is hell, imagine what the brig conditions must be in order to be considered a deterrent to bad conduct.