Random stuff isn't what soldiers risk their lives for. Many see their community as an extension of their family. Others are idealistic. Some didn't realize the risk. It isn't random though.
Yes they are given reasons, volunteers tend to fight better that way. They are supposed to obey but they, in the USA anyways, swore to protect the constitution.
"They suffered and they did their duty so a sheltered homeland can enjoy the peace that was purchased at such a high cost." Eugene Sledge
No, mtreis86 is saying that, if US troops are given orders to, say, occupy Washington DC and arrest the members of Congress and the Supreme Court, on orders of the President, they're not supposed to do it, even though doing so would be obeying orders.
Not at all, I was specifically responding to "what soldiers risk their lives for"
That said, according to the UCMJ, the orders given to slaughter civilians in Vietnam were unlawful and a soldier refusing to obey them would not have been prosecuted.
"Obedience to orders. It is a defense to any offense
that the accused was acting pursuant to orders
unless the accused knew the orders to be unlawful or
a person of ordinary sense and understanding would
have known the orders to be unlawful."
What I was saying was, when someone sign up to join the Army, their ideal is to protect the country and it's citizens.
But when they ordered to go to a different country and fight a war over there. that is not what they originally signed up for, right? So they are putting their lives on line for the whims of someone in administration, and not for a cause they care about.
That is all I am saying.
So, my original argument is that, If we are able to make human beings to risk their lives for causes so disconnected from themselves, Why can't we have human beings that are ready to lead an enforced, selfless life devoid of normal human joys and full fillments in the service of their country?
My response stands, they are typically risking their lives for something close to them - their family and community, and not for some lofty ideals nor for the whims of an administration. Most know the risk going in.
I mean orders from higher authorities. Are the soldiers given reason or entitled for one? They are just supposed to obey, right?