- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 210
I gotta say I'm pretty on the fence about asking the question while training.
Obviously, 'soldier first' you want the job done quickly, efficiently, and without second guessing... which is the reason for training and training and training some more. You want the troops to go do what they gotta do without questioning orders, or themselves. They need to be able to advance to contact, kill the enemy, and get the hell back to the FOB. They shouldn't have to flop moral questions in their heads when safety is at jeopardy.
However... professionally, and legally, we gotta follow the laws of armed conflict and ROE's. We all have to understand the repercussions our actions can have, and sometimes the snap decision made in the heat of battle isn't going to necessarily be the 'best' answer. There could be a lot of armchair quarterbacking, and you have an obligation to yourself to make the informed decision. This is obviously the reason why we have such briefings and lectures and dry training.
I don't think the question would be raised as the pairs are going through the lanes though. Having a thought-provoking process at end ex is what any good AAR should be about. The classic hot wash question of "what can you do better next time?" comes to mind. Of course we can always discuss what we would do in any given scenario, but as always, shooting a Lockheed Martin vs an enemy combatant is always going to be different.
Situation Dictates.
Obviously, 'soldier first' you want the job done quickly, efficiently, and without second guessing... which is the reason for training and training and training some more. You want the troops to go do what they gotta do without questioning orders, or themselves. They need to be able to advance to contact, kill the enemy, and get the hell back to the FOB. They shouldn't have to flop moral questions in their heads when safety is at jeopardy.
However... professionally, and legally, we gotta follow the laws of armed conflict and ROE's. We all have to understand the repercussions our actions can have, and sometimes the snap decision made in the heat of battle isn't going to necessarily be the 'best' answer. There could be a lot of armchair quarterbacking, and you have an obligation to yourself to make the informed decision. This is obviously the reason why we have such briefings and lectures and dry training.
I don't think the question would be raised as the pairs are going through the lanes though. Having a thought-provoking process at end ex is what any good AAR should be about. The classic hot wash question of "what can you do better next time?" comes to mind. Of course we can always discuss what we would do in any given scenario, but as always, shooting a Lockheed Martin vs an enemy combatant is always going to be different.
Situation Dictates.
