Is killing... killing?
 

I'm joining the army and start my training soon, because I'm joining 3 Rifles, the chances are that by time I get my first tour, I'll be in Lebanon or such places as opposed to Afghanistan. Rifles are a very select regiment.

The thing is... I'm not afriad of being killed. I'm not afraid of killing somebody. I'm afraid of screwing up and the guy next to me paying the price for it. What if I screw up? I'll be trained obviously, I'll be a part of the best regiment in the British Army (except SaS, grudgingly...), but does that mean I can't have a conscience?

If I kill somebody who's pointing a gun in my general direction, am I still a murderer?

Do YOU think it would make you a murderer? That would probably more helpful to figure out than others' opinions. But, let's see.

I'm pretty much a pacifist, and thus not thrilled with any sort of fighting. But I know it's not as easy as saying "Let's all be friends", eh?

I should hope that as a soldier you can have a conscience. You're human after all - and if you were uncaring towards others, their feelings, their lives... what kind of existence would that be?

Yet, as a soldier, especially with what you're aiming for, it sounds likely you'll have to find a way to deal with the possibility that you'll hurt, or kill people. And I really don't believe in pretty expressions that mask what it is. Killing. Taking a life.

I suppose what you have to decide is, is it worth it? Do you think you would be doing a good thing, in the long run - protecting people, trying to bring peace to these places, whathaveyou?

I'd do it all day every day if it made a difference, that's why I'm joining.

Hi ive always wanted to join the army for such a long time now sadly i cant (due to having a ED) and ive thought about your question for such a long time..

You won't be a murderer at all !! a soldiers job is to fight and protect the man next to him .. Afghanistan and such places are being ruined by people who are out for self profit and to prove something to cause the world to be scared of them .. You will be there to help the country be stable and just help the general population get on with there daily lives

And if you have to kill it will be to save a life .. To stop theses terroists making IEDS and killing the civilains.. The enemy doesn't want peace or for the country to better itself .. Your there for that exact reason to be normailty and peace to a torn up country

You won't screw up .. yeah you will be scared and frightened but when you are there the training will kick in and you will do what your trained for

(Hope this helps and isn't confusing)

Best of luck paul :)

But you also have to ask the question, why are we at war?

I justify killing done by soldiers on order - but then comes the problem of killing for hire being justified, in principle, it is the same thing.

It's a really, really difficult question to answer, and I think it has to be a personal opinion.

We're at war because we're Human.
Always has been wars and always will be I guess...

I think, as humans with so called 'higher thinking', we should think about why we find the only way for us to solve global conflicts is to kill.

I think, as humans with so called 'higher thinking', we should think about why we find the only way for us to solve global conflicts is to kill.

*only way for us to solve global conflicts is to kill* .. Its not the only way but when someone wont come to the talking table to try and fine a peacefull way around things.. sometime force is what is needed

for example the north koreans might soon have a war with south korea.. the UN have spent more than 20years trying to make peace with the north koreas .. what if they do start a war is the rest of the world supposed to sit back and watch while one of our allies gets blown to bits and thousands of innocent south koreans die ? I think not war is a option and sometimes its the best option for that time and place .. no matter what anyone esle says

Regardless of why, Humans are always at war. There is not a recorded time in our known history where there wasn't a single war taking place. We're Humans, we're destructive.

For what it's worth, I think your concerns are perfectly natural. If I was in the army I'd have exactly the same worries about killing somebody or somebody getting killed because of a mistake I've made. I'm sure the rest of the people signing up, whatever the bravado, feel exactly the same.

I can't give you any answers unfortunately, as they are very individual and your thoughts and opinions are likely very different to mine (as I would never join the armed services). I think it will come with time and experience and yes, you will likely experience death in one way or another. It's actually very normal for you to think about it; to be honest, I'd be far more worried if you had no concerns about it at all!

Take care.

It's not killing I'm worried about, and it's not dying either. If I'm told to kill a kid by my CO, I'll do it. That's what a soldier does, exactly what they're told.

If I'm told such and such are the enemy, I will kill them properly and without compassion. My worry, is a mistake I make, getting the lad to my right or left killed. If I hesitate 1 second too long and he gets a bullet in the chest. If I decide not to kill that kid (Taliban do some ****ed up, yet wierdly clever stuff), and he shoots the lad next to me. If I don't blow an entry properly, and a guy gets stuffed crawling through... That kind of thing :/

I think that is where your training comes into play.
The safety and protection of those around you and no doubt they will more than willing to take a bullet for you as you would them.

Use your training as your best resource and advice hub. They after all are the ones who have been there and done it and are now training you to be the next best regiment.

i don't agree with the war, thats just me though, i appreciate we can't live without war and that we all need something to hate, my cousins in the army and i respect him, however i would never join, just something i'm not strong enough to do
however its your life, and your choice

thats what scares me, but i know what you mean

It has to come down to your personal philosophy. I know that, because of my personal philosophy and attitudes, I could never be in the army - but if you feel that you can, that's good and you should listen to that.

Bear in mind that there's a lot of comradeship and support in the army (from what I've heard, anyway) - should the situation arise where you kill somebody through a fault of yours or friendly fire, you will get support and counselling for that. The army trains you, but it also supports you.

Good luck.

I think I said that a bit too bluntly. In context, not just a kid... A kid with a gun who at the age of 8 has been trained to use it and poses a credible threat to life.

And it's not about being 'strong' enough to be in the army, it's just the attitude. Some people are built for civvy street, others for military life.

It all depends on the situation.
And unless you know specifically what the reasons for you being there are and who you're killing, you can't give a proper answer because of all the complexities.

Just wondering though, no offence obviously, but if you're on a site like this, how is it you are able to join the army?
They see scars on your arm, for example, and it's a big deal to them for the sake of judging how stable you are.
Tbh, if they do their assessment thing and you talk like you do above about killing, there seems like a rather high chance of them thinking you're like Private Pyle in Full Metal Jacket.

I know why you are worried. Do you think you have a tendency to worry a lot about future situations which *may possibly* happen? I know I do, and if I was in your position I would be worried too. But I think in a way this level of worry is a personal thing which you need to try and overcome by learning to rely on your training, believe in yourself and your ability to make good decisions and believe that you are capable and you will not hesitate that second too long. Try to turn it around and think that you will be trained, the people around you will be trained, you will all help each other to stay safe.

Also, if someone is pointing a gun at you and you shoot them, it's self defence. Get in first, that's what I say.

I don't self harm.
The army has changed, it's all on an individual basis and mental health doesn't stop you getting in unless it implies you're unstable, which I'm not.
The worry I have is perfectly natural, I spoke to my Uncle (he was engineers too) and he said that if you don't have this worry, then you shouldn't be joining the army.