The Reality of Weapon Firing Among Modern Soldiers

Modern warfare has often depicted soldiers as shooting at the enemy without hesitation. However, the truth is much more complex. Many soldiers, for reasons related to personal beliefs, family upbringing, and religious or moral training, may not fire their weapons at all. This article explores the extent to which soldiers use their weapons and the psychological and training factors that influence their behavior on the battlefield.

Desmond Doss: A Military Icon

One such individual is Private First Class Desmond Thomas Doss, a highly decorated US Army soldier during World War II. Doss was the first conscientious objector in the army to receive the Medal of Honor. He served in a medical role and devoted his time to aiding and caring for the wounded, demonstrating exceptional bravery and integrity in a completely non-combatant capacity. Doss's actions highlight the extremes to which some soldiers go in order to avoid engaging in direct combat, even at the risk of their own lives.

Extreme Acts of Valor and Care

Conversely, there are soldiers like Audie Murphy, who single-handedly stopped a German attack and demonstrated exceptional courage. These soldiers serve as examples of the other end of the spectrum, where personal bravery and self-sacrifice are motivated by a sense of duty and determination to protect comrades. The common thread between these two soldiers is their commitment to their fellow troops, often at the cost of their own safety and comfort.

Historical Context and Morality

It is interesting to note that during the 19th century and even during the American Civil War, a significant number of soldiers never fired their weapons at all. Another group, who did fire them, often did not aim directly at the enemy, finding it mentally and ethically challenging to kill another person. This trend continued into World War I, as evidenced by interviews with soldiers conducted long after the war had concluded.

The Effectiveness of Weapons and Training

The military understood the psychological and ethical challenges soldiers faced. In World War II and subsequent conflicts, soldiers were trained to shoot at human silhouette targets, rather than bullseye or square targets. This change was primarily to adapt soldiers to shooting at human shapes on the battlefield, enhancing their combat readiness and effectiveness. This training saw a significant increase in the reported use of weapons by soldiers, although some still struggled with the moral dilemma of killing another human being.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Weapon Firing

The increased effectiveness of weapons has also been linked to a rise in the incidence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among soldiers. Each new conflict brings more devastating and destructive weaponry, leading to an intensified emotional and psychological impact on soldiers. The Boggs Report, which examined psychological impacts during the Vietnam War, revealed that over 90% of soldiers who saw combat stated that they had fired their weapons at the enemy by the Vietnam War era.

Big Picture Analysis

While the data and trends are clear, it's important to stress that this overview is a broad thematic analysis and does not apply to any single individual. Every soldier operates on a unique moral compass, influenced by personal factors such as upbringing, religious beliefs, and individual experiences. The complex interplay of these factors often determines whether a soldier will fire their weapon.

Conclusion

The reality of weapon firing among modern soldiers is nuanced and multifaceted. While many soldiers do use their weapons, others, driven by ethical and personal constraints, may abstain from engaging the enemy directly. Historical and contemporary evidence shows that training and the nature of weapons have a significant impact on the behavior of soldiers in combat. This understanding is crucial for policymakers, military leaders, and the general public to comprehensively address the psychological and ethical challenges faced by soldiers in modern warfare.

References

For more detailed information, refer to the following sources:

Gwynne Dyer. War. (1981, 1982) The Boggs Report: Psychological Warfare (1970) The National WWII Museum, New Orleans, USA