General Discussion

Capperdan

(529 posts) Wed Nov 26, 2025, 12:47 PM Nov 26

276

I refused orders once... [View all]

I was in the Army Reserves based in LA. It was May 5, 1970, the day after the Kent State shootings. "Four dead in Ohio". That day was officially Armed Forces Day and my unit was scheduled to be in a parade In the heart of the city. I was in the color guard carrying a rifle next to the flag wearing my chrome helmet and dress khakis. So the Commander pulled me and the other rifle guy out and told us to fix bayonets, in anticipation of violent protesters. He told us a " short thrust" (as opposed to a long thrust) should suffice, if someone should attack the flag. We looked at each other and rolled our eyes. We didn't say anything but never did put those bayonets on. It was a surprisingly peaceful march however, given the turmoil of those anti -VietNam days. We never got in trouble, but I have always been a little proud of that.

43 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I refused orders once... [View all] Capperdan Nov 26 OP

I never disobeyed an order when I was on active duty EYESORE 9001 Nov 26 #1

It's amazing what people (soldiers) will do if they've been told the "others" are the enemy. erronis Nov 26 #3

Trump needs to lie to the soldiers and sailors popsdenver Nov 26 #21

You can be a lot proud of that one. TheRickles Nov 26 #2

Please accept my gratitude, sir! lastlib Nov 26 #4

Thank you lastlib Capperdan Nov 26 #9

And you should be proud, MarineCombatEngineer Nov 26 #5

And back at you MCE Capperdan Nov 26 #10

The closest I came was in the USAF in 1969. MineralMan Nov 26 #6

My hat off to you, MM. That takes guts and a true sense of what's right. erronis Nov 26 #23

Or, I'm a smartass. MineralMan Nov 26 #24

I think you were a smart smartass. 3catwoman3 Nov 26 #25

I had a similar experience LogDog75 Nov 26 #34

Yes, exactly. MineralMan Nov 27 #36

We were breaking down our NDP (night defensive position), and The Wizard Nov 26 #7

Yup, brave. Joinfortmill Nov 26 #8

more info? NJCher Nov 26 #11

LOL! Great gifs FakeNoose Nov 26 #20

You should be proud. Nt Figarosmom Nov 26 #12

Love that you did this, and that blue_jay Nov 26 #13

And you should be mountain grammy Nov 26 #14

A little proud? llmart Nov 26 #15

Good on you. 3catwoman3 Nov 26 #16

Im sure it would have Capperdan Nov 26 #27

Thank you Capperdan! Clouds Passing Nov 26 #17

I salute your service, honor and integrity, Capperdan Grim Chieftain Nov 26 #18

Well thanks, GC Capperdan Nov 26 #28

Had a friend in the Army refuse an order in Vietnam surfered Nov 26 #19

thank you for your honorable service. cab67 Nov 26 #22

My father refused Bmoboy Nov 26 #26

Thank you KT2000 Nov 26 #29

Thank you. I'm proud of you too. Ohioboy Nov 26 #30

Precisely the Correct Action Nictuku Nov 26 #31

On the other hand . . . Aussie105 Nov 26 #32

If that happened, no one would consider charging the coerced soldier. TomSlick Nov 26 #33

My late brother, who flew BlueMTexpat Nov 27 #35

This message was self-deleted by its author sarchasm Nov 27 #37

I was in 6-years. I NEVER got an illegal order. Grins Nov 27 #38

At Kent State the students tricked a gung ho commander into following them. GreenWave Nov 27 #39

Those were crazy times to be 20 years old Capperdan Nov 27 #41

My ROTC Ranger group committed mass mutiny one time... malthaussen Nov 27 #40

On the other hand (and only tangentially related) malthaussen Nov 27 #42

I am thankful I never had to face a situation in which I would have to refuse an order. mucholderthandirt Nov 27 #43