Why is it important to follow orders?
Following orders is of the utmost importance in the army. Obedience is what allows the military to operate in an organized and effective manner that is clearly very important during difficult military situations. Not following orders is not an optional choice that recruits can make when they join the army.
Why should soldiers follow orders?
Every military officer swears an oath upon commissioning. That oath is not to obey all orders. It is to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. It is simply wrong to say Calley had an obligation to follow any order no matter what.
Can a soldier disobey an illegal order?
Military members disobey orders at their own risk. They also obey orders at their own risk. An order to commit a crime is unlawful. An order to perform a military duty, no matter how dangerous, is lawful as long as it doesn’t involve the commission of a crime.
What happens if you go to jail while in the military?
If you are ultimately sentenced to a year or more in prison, your rank will be knocked down to private. Someone who is sentenced to 30 days or more in jail but less than a year can be reduced one or more pay grades. You can also be denied promotions because of criminal matters outside of the armed forces.
Can soldiers go to jail?
Military prisons are used variously to house prisoners of war, unlawful combatants, those whose freedom is deemed a national security risk by the military or national authorities, and members of the military found guilty of a serious crime.
Can a soldier fight a civilian?
Whether you are a soldier or not, no one is “allowed” to assault another person. The punishment will be determined by who takes jurisdiction in bringing charges, which would be either the civilian or military police…
Can you join the army to avoid jail time?
72B, Chapter 3, Section 2, Part H, Paragraph 12 states: “Applicants may not enlist as an alternative to criminal prosecution, indictment, incarceration, parole, probation, or another punitive sentence. They are ineligible for enlistment until the original assigned sentence would have been completed.”
