Nelson expected every man to do his duty. The trouble is, we now have leaders who do not tell their armed forces the truth about why they should lose their lives. Is our duty to our country, to our government, or more importantly to the truth? I served in many countries where our troops were not wanted by the native people. My service was to "Large international companies," although I did not realise that at the time. Like so many young people today, I thought I was serving my country, now I know I risked my life for nothing worthwhile. What is duty worth when those giving the orders are not honest?

This is political horsecrap. Your duty is to your fellow soldier and if you feel you can't trust your leaders then don't join the service and if you're in then get out. That's the deal and no one lied about that, at least not to Americans. Everyone who enlists signs a contract and if you didnt pay attention to the details then you're an idiot.

The question is whether they're serving their country or private interests.

Originally Posted by major liability

The question is whether they're serving their country or private interests.

No it isn't, at least not in my opinion. The question actually is whether they are doing the job they contracted for or not. A soldier isn't like a civilian in many ways, of course. One major way is that he doesn't have the luxury of quitting his job because he doesn't like the smell of his boss's aftershave, because the cafeteria down the street serves better lunches, or because he didn't realize that his little company was actually owned by Microsoft and he doesn't agree with Microsoft's environmental policy.
In my experience, once a soldier has a job to do, he has to do it. It's a matter of life or death in many situations. I for one, would hate to be depending on a guy who was preoccupied with the monumental realization that politicians are a lying sack of (insert descriptor of choice) rather than covering my butt in a nasty situation.
The fact also remains that our country consists of private interests. It's called capitalism.

Well of course the men on the ground should be fighting as hard as they can, and really keeping your buddies alive should be motivation enough, I just have some doubts.

I don't.

Originally Posted by DTop

In my experience, once a soldier has a job to do, he has to do it.

I'd ask General Francis Biddle or his successor about that. At Nuremberg he ordered dozens of men to hang who used that as their main line of defence.

It's a very sticky subject, and I'm damn sure I can't answer it, but I'd rather do 10 years in Leavenworth than have an early appointment with 10 armed riflemen with only one blank round between them.

American soldiers are educated on this subject so I know with a high degree of certainty that Top was not referring to hiding behind orders but to the phrase used in the US military "to obey all LAWFUL orders".

If you say Iraq is second Vietnam,
I ask you to read Che Guevara's Guerrilla Warfare.

1 Native civilians resume full-scale assistance to guerillas?
2 guerillas have safety Sanctuary for supplying?
3 guerillas have sponsor　country?

You are going to make the best out of your situation as a Soldier while maintaining your countries honor. Even if your are getting dishonorable orders. The front line Soldier is the face of America, not the politician.