Preview

The Importance of Following Orders

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
3006 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Importance of Following Orders
The Importance of Following Orders
Following orders is of the utmost importance in the military. Obedience is what enables the military to operate in an organized and effective manner which is clearly very important during challenging military situations. While an individual can question the notion of obedience in daily life, this luxury is often not available in the military where the grand goals and aims require smooth internal functioning and hierarchical coordination. Indeed, many of the standards that would be frowned upon outside the military are essential to the work's success within. For example, punishment is not deemed to be a positive occurrence in an average person’s life, whereas the military guide maintains that punishment strengthens one's determination and discipline and enables a person to learn and fully take the importance of following orders in. Not following orders is not an optional choice that recruits can make upon joining the army. The act of disobedience is considered to be an infractions and a person who placed himself in such a situation can find himself facing Article 15 charges. Thus, respect and obedience is of the utmost significance in the military as it helps maintain the internal structure and enables the military therefore to carry out its operations in confidence.
The importance of orders to the military become clearer when it is taken into account that Article 15 punishments are administered without a jury or judge. The military recognizes that respect for authority is what maintains order and prevents the eruption of chaos and is hence willing to set an example for all who might be tempted to oppose their leaders, by administering these punishments first hand without any judicial representatives. Furthermore, article 90 makes it clearly illegal to disobey an order by a military officer. The extent to which obedience is safeguarded through strict laws and intolerance of disobedience or disrespectful behavior, underlines

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    The act of not following orders could result in injury or death, getting into trouble and eventually getting kicked out of the ARMY. In war time or even in garrison orders…

    • 590 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In order to be successful in any career one must be able to listen and take to heart the importance of what they are learning and doing throughout their lives; this has significance in both the military and civilian life. In order to do that you must follow whatever your superiors say, like when you are at your civilian job and your boss tells you to clean the bathroom. You have to be able to just do what you’re told so the job gets done, and you are also seen as a trustworthy employee. On the military side, it is self discipline. When an Non commissioned officer tells you to get something done there should be absolutely no argument or thought about it. The soldier has an easy job; A. Listen to what he is told, B. Be at the right place at the right time in the right uniform. It is important to do so so the mission goes as planned.…

    • 2226 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To what degree should people follow orders of superiors due to their authority? A Few Good Men is a movie where the moral difference between right and wrong is very unclear in the name of following authority. Professors of sociology, Kelman and Hamilton worked together on “The My Lai Massacre: A Military Crime of Obedience” where they tried to apply reason to the soldiers who committed a massacre of unarmed women and children during the Vietnam War. Theodore Dalrymple is a physician who wrote “Just Do What the Pilot Tells You” by analyzing Milgram’s electric shock torture experiment to shine light on when is right to obey to authority, while he emphasizes not to follow authority blindly. These pieces can be used to understand how Marines were able to kill a fellow Marine in Rob Reiner’s A Few Good Men.…

    • 887 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The soldiers were showing obedience to authority, where they were responding to a direct order from a figure with perceived authority with the fear of punishment and the belief in the legitimacy of authority motivating them to continue.…

    • 492 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Soc 120 Final Paper

    • 1654 Words
    • 7 Pages

    In a military environment following orders is essentially the top priority. Insubordination is generally defined as a willful or intentional failure to obey a lawful and reasonable request of a supervisor.1 Following orders shows that the organization is well structured and disciplined. Sometimes though an order comes down from above that you may feel is not ethical or it goes against your standard thought of what is right or wrong. Here I plan to discuss my thoughts on this topic as well as supporting my claim that through the use of utilitarianism, a solution to this issue could be reached.…

    • 1654 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Jim Jones Research Paper

    • 3624 Words
    • 15 Pages

    Many theories and questions are raised from the problem of obedience to authority. What can make another person be obedient to another? Why do some people obey others when they know what they’re doing is wrong? This is a problem for the human population and it demands reasoning, explanation, and examination. We must reflect on what many experts have examined in the field, and draw some conclusions. There are many experts that have studied obedience to authority, and why people still obey even though it may be wrong. In the military following orders is the key to your survival. Even if your superior officers tell you to kill someone or shoot someone it may…

    • 3624 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Article 86 - Essay 1

    • 1091 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Most infractions of the UCMJ can be dealt with by nonjudicial punishment. Nonjudicial punishment is Article 15 of the UCMJ. The authority of commanders to give an Article 15 is found in Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. An Article 15 is considered non-judicial punishment, because it is not a judicial proceeding. Non-judicial punishment is a military justice option available to commanders. It permits commanders to resolve allegations of minor misconduct against a soldier without resorting to higher forms of discipline, such as a court-martial. The commander has complete discretion about whether to impose an Article 15. A soldier may, however, refuse to accept the Article 15 and instead demand trial by court-martial. (Powers, Nonjudicial Punishment)…

    • 1091 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Every serviceman within the uniformed public services knows how discipline is of the upmost importance when serving your country. There are many reasons for this, although some people feel that some are more important others. Some of these reasons include:…

    • 689 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    On June 30, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established 69 Articles of War to govern the conduct of the Continental Army. On April 10, 1806, the United States Congress enacted 101 Articles of War (which applied to both the Army and the Navy), which were not significantly revised until over a century later. The military justice system continued to operate under the Articles of War until May 31, 1951, when the Uniform Code of Military Justice went into effect. The UCMJ was passed by Congress on 5 May 1950, signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, and became effective on 31 May 1951. The word "Uniform" in the Code's title refers to the congressional intent to make military justice uniform or consistent among the armed services. The UCMJ is found in Title 10, Subtitle A, Part II, Chapter 47 of the United States Code. The current version is printed in the latest version of the Manual for Courts-Martial (2005). I specifically disobeyed Article 134,” General article” and Article 92. Article 134 Includes offenses that are not specifically listed in the Manual for Courts-Martial and which may "cause disorder and neglect to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, or conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces." Article 134 is often considered to be a "catch-all" for various offenses that aren't necessarily covered by the other articles in the UCMJ. Article 134 offenses include disloyal statements, unclean equipment, improper wear of military uniform, abuse of public animals, adultery, bigamy, bribery, fraternization, et al. Article 92 was disobeyed when I failed to comply with a lawful order.…

    • 259 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    army values

    • 637 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Treat people as they should be treated. In the Soldier’s Code, we pledge to “treat others with dignity and respect while expecting others to do the same.” Respect is what allows us to appreciate the best in other people. Respect is trusting that all people have done their jobs and fulfilled their duty. And self-respect is a vital ingredient with the Army value of respect, which results from knowing you have put forth your best effort. The Army is one team and each of us has something to contribute.…

    • 637 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Powers, R. (2012). Military Orders-To Obey or Not To Obey? U.S Military. The New York…

    • 2731 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    powerpoint

    • 598 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Soldiers of the Army are trusted with the responsibility to keep citizens of the nation safe, “against all enemies foreign and domestic.” Individuals make the decision to become Soldiers who are prepared to become experts of their craft and live the Army code of ethicsi. This great responsibility is not taken for granted and instilled in every Soldier immediately. In this profession having the support of the American public is crucialii. Soldiers must stay relevant to the public and be cognizant not to create a divide between themselves and the American people.…

    • 598 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    a. All persons in the military service are required to strictly obey and promptly execute the legal orders of their lawful seniors.…

    • 2437 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Illful Orders

    • 2660 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Now to fully understand these orders you need to understand certain words. Words such as disobey, willful, and detrimental. To disobey means to refuse or fail to obey and or follow an order or rule. To be disobedient is to purposely ignore or go about your on will towards a direct order, rule, or command. To be willful is to do something with one’s own will and or done on purpose. Also obstinately bent on having one’s own way. Last but not least to be detrimental. Being detrimental is being harmful, injurious, or prejudicial. Prejudicial meaning disadvantage now that those words have been explained I may continue. Beginning with the first, article 89 Disrespect toward a superior commissioned officer, then article 90 Assaulting or willfully disobeying superior commissioned officer, next is article 91 Insubordinate conduct toward warrant officer, NCO, or PO, and last is article 134 – Fraternization…

    • 2660 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Punctuality in a military environment is crucial as it enables tasks to be completed, and allows leaders to conduct accountability, PCCs and PCIs for particular operations. Also, depending on the severity or how often a soldier conducts the offense, being late can lead to UCMJ action. This essay will provide in some detail the benefits of being punctual as well as note possible consequences.…

    • 1016 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays