Discussion»Statements»Rosie's Corner» "Ours is not to question why. Ours is but to do or die". That is NUTS! Do you agree? You would die withhout knowing why? Are YOU NUTS?
Even though the poem was about a cavalry charge in the Crimean War, it could easily be about any doomed military maneuver. A good example from the American Civil War, would be Pickett's Charge: https://www.historynet.com/picketts-charge-gettysburg
That saying is pretty much true of anyone in any branch of any military of any nation.
If soldiers were free to question and disobey their orders, WW1 would have been like:
"You want me to climb out of this protective trench, and cross all that open ground while under fire from machine guns and artillery? Are you nuts?!? F**k you!" Or even: "You want us to invade another country, just because some assassin killed a politician? That's so stupid. Nope, not gonna do it."
I just chuckled sweetie. I see your point. Well I wouldn't make it in the military. I always question why. I mean how can you not question whether or not giving your life matters? How do you know it matters if no one tells you why? I know chain of command and all that. You follow the orders of your superior officer. You do not end-run him. You do not go over his head. Too bad. How sad. Can't do it. Not cut out for that life. SIGH. It seems MINDLESS to me Walt. Robotic automaton who are programmed to do what they old to do. Period. .End of story. Unquestioning obedience. Without it there is no military right? Thank you for your helpful reply and the links. I know my limitations Walt. Mindless obedience? Well maybe if there is a gun to my child's head and if I disobey he dies I will obey. Otherwise are you nuts? Not you Walt!.:)
Many people die without knowing why. And especially if you are in the military or the police or medical profession where your work is about helping others you want to survive but you also know there might be times when you just have to go in and do your work hoping you survive but know you may not. And in other walks of life can sometimes be the same thing but to a much lesser degree. There is not always time to question or disagree or argue or mull over or convince yourself when lives are at stake. You just have to go for it.
Walt O'Reagun 