Question 10
Have Britain’s junior ranking soldiers and marines been operating under an unspoken, socialist, ‘brothers in arms’ ethos in order to better harness their bravery and loyalty?
Generals are paid to think, not to kill. Privates are paid to kill, not to think, hence… a curious brand of socialism has long been encouraged within the lower or non-commissioned ranks of western armies. This dictates that soldiers will be expected to fight to the death for their comrades, their brothers in arms. No better incentive exists to squeeze from a soldier or marine every drop of devotion to the cause – whatever that happens to be – than to imply ‘YOU’RE ALL EQUAL’ and to drip-feed socialist values into key battle orders. Generals and senior ranks know this very well and follow it to the letter. It’s not referred to as socialism of course – what a giveaway that would be – so the whole routine is draped in an elaborate subterfuge.
If the top brass can cynically fan the flames and get their soldiers wound up enough, courageous, honest men will give their absolute all. Especially if they think they can rescue their injured pal or die for each other rather than for a tatty flag or an even tattier politician or monarch.
The sheer combined might and power of the people will certainly have risen to the forefront of 2 Para’s minds – even subconsciously – during the fixed bayonets charges at Goose Green, and later, those of the Scots Guards and Marines at Mount Tumbledown, near the end of the conflict. The hardest fought victories originate from the bottom up, never from the top down.
Armed forces members often become depressed upon leaving, and it’s not simply because their lives have changed. They quickly discover that unlike with their old oppos, they can’t trust their new civvy street peers, who themselves have been divided, scapegoated, devalued, and encouraged to hate each other for centuries. It’s obviously unfair and wrong to hate all civilians. Nevertheless, it’s a standard tactic, originating from the MOD’s ivory towers, which gets consciously drilled into impressionable UK armed forces junior ranks.
Here on the outside, the concept of socialism, togetherness and people looking out for each other is far too menacing to those who’ve stolen or inherited their land, wealth, and power. Consolidated power structures feel this threat so very keenly, that such ominous movements for the people will never be allowed to build, embed themselves and take hold. Witness the concerted destruction of Labour Party leader and democratic socialist Jeremy Corbyn, all gleefully carried out by anybody possessing the slightest whiff of mindless, hate-filled prejudice.