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TomSlick

(12,820 posts)

29. Long years ago, I taught Law of War classes to basic trainees and Second Lieutenants in their officer basic course,

Reply to markbark (Original post)

Sat Nov 22, 2025, 03:08 PM

Saturday

The obligation to disobey unlawful orders - which was defined as orders to commit a crime - was always clear.

What I tried to make clear was that obedience to orders was no defense if they murdered a civilian, enemy prisoner of war, etc. I told them they would prosecuted for murder, not a violation of the laws of war.

I think the basic trainees were mostly asleep. The young Lieutenants were completely engaged in the discussions.

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Highlight:

My fellow veterans will no doubt agree [View all] markbark Saturday OP

No Doubt Here unweird Saturday #1

47 years for me as well. n/t iluvtennis Saturday #21

42 years for me too maptap22 Saturday #2

I took that same oath in Chicago in 1969. Emile Saturday #3

This Vietnam veteran... BH liberal Saturday #4

Before the Constitution, there was Tetrachloride Saturday #5

Took the oath in 1986. Aristus Saturday #6

18 July 1972 BOSSHOG Saturday #7

The Officer Oath omits the part about obeying orders. pfitz59 Saturday #8

Always good to hear from our veterans. democrank Saturday #9

1961 USMC Ping Tung Saturday #10

I knew it Puppyjive Saturday #11

The Officer's Code does not need to spell out every contingency... BH liberal Saturday #12

1968 for me in Milwaukee Augiedog Saturday #13

This fellow Veteran agrees. MarineCombatEngineer Saturday #14

Thank you markbark 🩵 Clouds Passing Saturday #15

I think when faced with gunning down neighbors and friends they will refuse. JohnnyRingo Saturday #16

Shooting citizens already happened... BH liberal Saturday #17

I grew up 20 miles from KSU JohnnyRingo Saturday #28

July, 1970, so 55 years ago for me... Wounded Bear Saturday #18

45 years. It hasn't changed. paleotn Saturday #19

Same here! DemMedic Saturday #20

Hegseth wants soldiers who have no other allegiances than to the Orange One 70sEraVet Saturday #22

I took thosee oaths two times, enlisted an officer Jerry2144 Saturday #23

Yes, that was made abundantly clear when I was in the military. patphil Saturday #24

A Senator Just Recieved a Bomb Threat Mr.Bee Saturday #25

1958 for me n/t Timewas Saturday #26

The problem is that some private in the army is not going to stick his neck out. Jacson6 Saturday #27

Long years ago, I taught Law of War classes to basic trainees and Second Lieutenants in their officer basic course, TomSlick Saturday #29

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