Honestly I think we have more to fear from the general paranoid populace than we do our own military. Yes those in the military obey orders, but were they to be given an order to harm civilians most would refuse and rush home to protect their families. They are people first and foremost. What they do for a living doesn't change that they all have people they care about that they would want to protect.

The only situation I can see where someone in the military would fire upon a civilian would be if that civilian was firing at them first, but that is no different to me than if anyone else were to fire back to save their own lives.

I'll offer my opinion on the subject since I was in service. I was in the Navy so I don't know what my role might be in a martial law scenario since I was on ships during my career. However, I will say one thing from my experiences; most who take that oath respect it and adhere to it.

If God forbid, our government becomes the enemy and issues immoral or illegal orders every serviceman is expected to disobey. They are all instructed to know the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and in there is the nature of what orders to follow and which to disobey. That would be a soldier or sailors defense in court martial for disobeying and order.

But it really boils down to what is morally right and wrong. We all know how the government officials are great orators and masters at painting a picture that is untrue. It is really up to the individual service member on what to do. In my opinion I think the government will use mercenaries and quite possibly foreign troops to handle a martial law scenario in the US. The bulk of our service members are abroad, and the ones here; may disobey and that poises a risk of mutiny. I have faith in my fellow services members because I used to be one. However, there are bad apples in every bunch.

[edit on 23-6-2009 by Jakes51]

As a former Air Force member, I take my oath seriously still. Look up "Call to Duty" and "Oathkeeper War" for more on how I feel about it and the faith I have in my brothers and sisters in service.

The average G.I. takes the oath quite seriously: a long time ago in 'Nam the American Legion set up a post at DaNang and tried to make an oath of loyalty to the president part of the membership requirements. Most guys were outraged and reported it to the I.G., who quickly pointed out the unconstitutionality of that and forced its immediate removal.

Service members debate the issue frequently in my experience, more frequently than civilians do, since the issue directly affects their own situation. That said, I've seen some units whose commanders were more political than military, and who subverted the loyalty of those under their command towards political figures rather than the Constitution.

But I trust most service members to do the right thing: they are used to making difficult decisions in hard places, and I'll give them the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.

I have many friends who joined the military.I could never see these people turn their weopons on fellow Americans.Not that others wouldnt but i could see those few taken out by the real US soldiers.These are not nazi ss but human beings with families just like you.

sorry dupe post

[edit on 23-6-2009 by AgentX09]

Soldiers are not absent common sense.

If you are a soldier, on your post, and you've been assigned to guard that post, then anyone who assaults you and threatens your post, regardless of civilian or not - should be shot.

To assault a civilian population going about their lawful business with lethal force is not going to be done. And even if you have a yahoo or two who would continue, I assure you their military careers would be short and terminal.

If you wonder about what the military would do in a time of a Constitutional crisis - then don't put their backs to the wall.

Don't force a bad decision.

They'll stay on their side and tend their mittens, as long as you do the same.

Never force a man with a rifle into a bad decision. It usually works to your own detriment.

Look up a group called the Oathkeepers ... they are members of the US military and federal/state/local law enforcement officers who have sworn to uphold the Constitution and defend it from Obama.

Law enforcement officers also take an oath to protect/defend and uphold the Constitution "against all enemies, foreign and domestic".

[edit on 23-6-2009 by ChrisF231]

Originally posted by dooper
Soldiers are not absent common sense.

If you are a soldier, on your post, and you've been assigned to guard that post, then anyone who assaults you and threatens your post, regardless of civilian or not - should be shot.

To assault a civilian population going about their lawful business with lethal force is not going to be done. And even if you have a yahoo or two who would continue, I assure you their military careers would be short and terminal.

If you wonder about what the military would do in a time of a Constitutional crisis - then don't put their backs to the wall.

Don't force a bad decision.

They'll stay on their side and tend their mittens, as long as you do the same.

Never force a man with a rifle into a bad decision. It usually works to your own detriment.

My thoughts exactly. Yet you'll still get people on here who will denounce that very mentality but would do the same thing if their back was against the wall of their home.