In response to a post about will service men/women shoot civilians.

[Alexander Freeborn]

I am sure many will agree that Obama, Demorats, and Liberals have pushed us almost to the limit, but in dark and troubled times, it is sometimes good to step back and take a breather so that when we launch our next attack we will be more in control of our senses.

There is a growing fear of a revolution, or civil war which has lead to many questions and speculations. One that seems to be popping up is a lot is

Would an American Service man/woman fire upon civilians if ordered by the Government.

I will not speculate, discuss, or post anything in relation to the possibility of a revolution, or civil war, and please refrain from offering replies for or against such. The issue I'd like to address is our physical and mental well being.

I'd like to offer this post to the question of Would an American Service man/woman fire upon civilians if ordered by the Government that I posted earlier today in the hopes it will help calm some fears, and provide understanding of how difficult such a situation would be. Thank you, and God Bless

Most who are not Vets, or have not served are not familiar with the UCMJ Uniform Code of Military Justice. During the time I was in the Marine Corps, there was this publication called Turn the Regs Around, which ultimately lead to the USS Enterprise to drift for over an hour.

It was discovered that the Service Men and Women had studied Turn the Regs Around, and because of the actions of the Captain of the USS Enterprise, every crew member and the majority of officers walked unto the flight deck and simply sat down. NO ONE WAS ARRESTED. It boiled down to INTERPRETATION.

Mutiny or a legal act? After an intense investigation, and interviews with every member of the USS Enterprise, it was found that no crime was committed. Records of this incident have been classified, and the only hope in providing documentation is if one could find a copy of the Stars and Stripes Newspaper that carried the story. http://www.stripes.com/

An American Service man or woman has not only the protection of the Constitution and Federal Law, they are also protected by the UCMJ in that they are bond by law to not obey what they reasonably consider an unlawful order. Now of course many have argued that killing is an unlawful order, believe me that is covered by the oath that all service men and women take, and the UCMJ. It is WHO you are ordered to kill that determines the legality. It must also be warned that a single service man/woman has little chance of refusing an unlawful order unless at least one other service man/woman is willing to testify. United We Stand, Divided We Fall.

In conclusion, here is a story that I have personal knowledge with. I was assigned to the mess hall for, lets just say partaking of a little too much wine. The NCO who was in charge of the mess hall was an African American Gunnery Sergeant that was extremely racist. Certain unqualified individuals were place into prime positions, and many who did not have the experience, or qualifications were promoted over highly experienced, and qualified White and Hispanics. One Sunday there was a VIP banquet, and since previous attempts to report the African American Gunnery Sergeant had failed, it was decided to utilize the UCMJ article protecting religious freedom. When it came time for the VIP banquet on Sunday, the only personnel that showed up was those who were appointed, or promoted by the African American Gunnery Sergeant which were all African Americans, and totaled no more than 8 or 9. The remaining African Americans chose to join their fellow Marines in protest. NO ONE WAS ARRESTED, AND the African American Gunnery Sergeant was brought before a Captains Mast. (Hearing)

Oh one more thing, before anyone says that the Gunnery Sergeants cannot promote anyone, it must be noted that promotions are largely determined by recommendations of a NCO, Staff NCO, or Officer to the Commanding Officer.

This is a time for Nation Wide Prayer, and a self examination of who we are, what we believe in. I used to buy and sell items at a local auction in SE Kentucky. Everyone was like family, and I guess you could say it was our weekly social event. Just before Christmas the year my mother died, when it was my time to have my items auctioned, I pulled out my credit and phone cards, and with tears in my eyes I told everyone there

Is there anyone who has not called their mothers, or fathers at least once in the last 30 days because they live too far away. Please come with me, and lets call them now.

I forfeited selling my items that night for a much more important obligation. And I am asking everyone who reads this, go and call you family that you have not spoken to in quite some time, sit and write that service man/or woman and tell them how much you respect and love them. We will never win our fight to save America if we can not love and respect our family, and those who chose to put their lives on the line, and with your love and respect. They will be able to make the right decision if and when the time comes.