Since we started military actions in the middle east, I've seen quite a few documentaries, interviews with soldiers, and horrific clips of combat. In some of these, soldiers are quoted after making a kill that it makes them feel good and eager to do it again.
Since I know the news often slants things and takes things way out of context, I'm looking for real perspectives from those who have been there.
Is it common for soldiers to enjoy killing, or is it more a manifestation of relief at the fact that the person trying to kill you is no longer a threat?
I can't see being happy about killing anyone even if they were trying to kill me. That doesn't mean I wouldn't do it if it was unavoidable, but I don't think I would ever be the same again.
I have never been in combat, God willing, I hope I never have to be. But I've heard it said over and over...there is a type of sadistic rush in killing. The same one you and I get when killing animals. It doesn't make the soldiers monsters or anything, it's just a worldy rush.I also believe that most people feel remorse or sadness when doing so.
The more you kill, the easier it gets...
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Thank God I can't speak firsthand about killing in combat. But based on the closest of people I know who have (my paternal grandfather in WWII and Korea, a good work buddy in Vietnam, my brother-in-law and neighbor both who just recently returned from a year in Iraq) NONE of them "liked" it. When the guns have cooled, the fight is over and your sitting around a fire eating MREs that night, the thoughts start creeping into your head. I can't imagine taking another humans life as EVER being enjoyable (the only exception I could possibly think of could be killing a murderer who took the life of your children or wife by violent/purposeful means).
I am however, sure the "rush" is there but it is not the same rush we get when being succesful while hunting. The rush is part our adrenaline pumping and our own sense of survival kicking in. The "fight or flight" syndrome which is a built in survival instinct. I'm sure in some demented cases, someone might like killing but those are few and far between. The majority of soldiers I would think view killing as a means too an end. The sooner aggression is stopped (by the enemy) the sooner the war is over and the sooner normal life (for both sides) can get on. Also much like the dropping of atomic bombs on ***an in WWII, by such violent actions future, more deaths are possibly prevented.
For those of us who have never been in combat I don't think we can honestly say WHAT we would do though. I am not sure what kind of emotions and reactions I would have if I found myself on the wrong end of a bunch of AK-47s that were hellbent on rearranging my anatomy.
Tough subject and THANK GOD for those strong men who make it their choice to do our nations dirty work!
RA
i have been in combat. its nothing pretty. you are trained to kill and to overcome fear and the pain of killing we are trained that it is good. you just killed an animal who would kill you and your whole family without even losing a seconds sleep about it.so we act proud of that kill. and we are at the time but we live with the nightmares of dead bodies and mangled corpses but the only ones that bothered me were the bodies of my friends and of women and children that were killed just because they were there. the middle eastern beliefs are that even if you kill a hundred women and children its worth it to kill one infidel (you and me)so to answer your question some what yes i am proud. proud i served my country ,proud you didnt have to,proud we are free,and yes proud i killed the enemy. i am not proud i took human lives. i did my job and duty to my country and because of people like me you are free and will remain free my uncle spent 46 months in a ***anese prisoner of war camp he is gone now but i am equaly proud of that marine who suffered for me and my children. was he proud yes he was.
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I've been in combat in the start of the Iraq war. I think their is a rush. When you have some guy shooting at you, and has already shot some of your friends, and you take him out. You think I got that MF, and your happy.It comes down to it's him or me, and believe me I'm coming home alive. People are different, and some are going to take it harder than others. For example my buddy can tell you different times he shot someone and it doesn't bother him. I personally don't feel remorse for killing someone who was trying to end my life.
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RIP Brothers in Arms!! You gave so others may LIVE!!! I miss you!
I've been in a non-military situation when I had a loaded gun in my hand and really thought that I would have to use it. But that's totally different than having someone spraying 7.62 rounds at me. That would likely make me crap my pants.
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"Shoot him again....his soul is still dancing"
Thanks for all the replies. There were no ulterior motives to my post and they weren't trick questions. I was just trying to understand something that someone who has not been there can't really comprehend.
Has anyone here ever been in combat?
