Abstract
We are all products of our environment. It shapes our perceptions and influences our behaviour (see, for example, Isen and Levin 1972; Darley and Batson 1973; Mathews and Cannon 1975; Haney et al. 1973; Overmier and Seligman 1967). Since the law is fundamentally a tool for the regulation of human behaviour, it is important that the law takes into account the individual’s environment. Yet, the legal standard set for soldiers that obey the illegal orders of their commanders is often implemented in isolation from or with a limited understanding of the soldier’s environment. Under the Rome Statute, soldiers are liable for obeying illegal orders if they knew the order was unlawful or the order was manifestly unlawful. In determining whether an order is manifestly unlawful, the courts can use the standard of whether a ‘reasonable person’ would have known that the order was manifestly unlawful. The ‘reasonable person’ is often ascertained without sufficient in-depth understanding of the social, behavioural, psychological, biological and cultural effects generated by the unique military and combat environment.
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Notes
- 1.
See chapter 3 for a discussion of the use of the ‘reasonable person’ standard.
- 2.
See chapter 6 for a discussion of the influence of the group on the individual.
- 3.
While chapter 4 examines military training in ‘Western’ developed armies, there is a particular emphasis on military training in the USA and Britain.
- 4.
The USA, through this report, was the first nation to systematically address ethical behaviour by the military in Iraq; see Mental Health Advisory Team IV (2006, 34) and see also Tirman (2011). Unfortunately, subsequent inquiries removed potentially incriminating items and, therefore, they did not research the ethical behaviour of the military; see Mogelson (2011).
- 5.
See McGarry et al. (2015, 355–7) for a discussion of military resilience as individual characteristics, as interpersonal relationships and as a learnt skill.
- 6.
See Douglas (2001, 38–42) for research on people’s tendency to respond to a new situation by following an established manner of conduct.
- 7.
Bourne notes that despite the formation of these strong bonds, the recruits show little signs of distress about the disintegration of the group at the end of training; see Bourne (1967, 194–5).
- 8.
For example, Mullaney recounts how the military awarded a fake purple heart to a cadet who was accidently stabbed in the neck with a bayonet during a marching drill. The cadet continued the drill and responded ‘no excuse, sir’ when it was noticed that he was bleeding; see (Mullaney 2009, 41).
- 9.
Marshall’s research has received criticism. However, Grossman argues that Marshall’s findings are supported by Ardant du Picq’s study on firing rates by the ancients, Holmes and Keegan’s research on firing rates, Holmes’ findings on Argentine firing rates in the Falklands War and Griffith’s study on the extremely low firing rates by Napoleonic and American soldiers; see Grossman (2009, xvii–xviii and 348). In addition, the US Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) supports Marshall’s findings. The military initiated a number of changes in training based on Marshall’s recommendations and these changes led to significantly increased firing rates; see Watson (1978, 45–6) and Grossman (2009, xvii and 36).
- 10.
The use of automatic weapons, suppressive fire and reconnaissance by fire are likely to also be factors in the large amount of bullets fired per kill; see Grossman (2009, 338).
- 11.
Grossman describes Vietnam soldiers chanting ‘kill, kill, kill’ everyday; see Grossman (2009, 253–4).
- 12.
- 13.
Tietz maintains that the firing rates were 25 per cent in World War II, nearly 60 per cent in Korea and 90 per cent in Vietnam; see Tietz (2006, 54). It is also important to note that these figures reveal the firing rate and not the hit rate, which means that it is possible that a larger number of soldiers are still deliberately missing the enemy target.
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O’Sullivan, C. (2016). Military Training: The Creation of the Modern Soldier. In: Killing on Command. Critical Criminological Perspectives. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-49581-5_4
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