The Courage to Disobey: Why U.S. Troops Are increasingly Questioning unlawful Orders
Recent research reveals a compelling trend: a growing willingness among U.S. military personnel to challenge and even disobey orders they perceive as illegal or immoral. This isn’t about undermining military discipline, but rather a deeply held ethical compass guiding service members to uphold the laws of war and their own moral principles. Understanding this shift is crucial, not just for military leadership, but for anyone concerned with accountability and ethical conduct in conflict.
The Psychological Impact of Legal Frameworks
for years, the assumption has been that soldiers follow orders, period. Though, our research demonstrates that simply reminding troops about the legal and moral boundaries of warfare can significantly impact their decision-making.
specifically, we found that explicitly reinforcing the illegality of targeting civilians increased a troop’s willingness to disobey by 8 percentage points. this highlights the power of legal frameworks in shaping ethical responses, even in the high-pressure environment of military service. Thinking about law and morality, as demonstrated in a 2020 study, actively encourages opposition to war crimes.
Priming for Ethical Resistance
Our latest survey built on this understanding. We discovered that when you present data about unlawful orders matters.
Here’s what we found:
* Troops who first answered questions about the duty to disobey manifestly unlawful orders were significantly more likely to refuse specific illegal orders in subsequent scenarios.
* When asked about obeying an order to drop a nuclear bomb on a civilian city, 69% initially said they would comply.
* Though,that number dropped to 56% when respondents first considered their obligation to disobey unlawful orders.
this demonstrates a clear “priming” effect – proactively engaging with the concept of ethical resistance makes it more likely to be applied in practise.
A Significant Minority Willing to Take a Stand
Despite the inherent challenges to disobedience within military culture – including potential court-martial for both obeying unlawful or disobeying lawful orders – a substantial portion of U.S. troops are prepared to draw a line.
Our survey revealed:
* Between one-third and half of surveyed troops would be willing to disobey orders to:
* Shoot or starve civilians.
* Torture prisoners.
* Drop a nuclear bomb on a city.
Service members detailed various methods of resistance, ranging from direct confrontation with superiors to indirect tactics like questioning orders, creating diversions, or even feigning illness.
The Power of Collective Courage
Individual acts of defiance can be incredibly powerful, but they are often amplified by collective action. Criminologist Eva Whitehead’s research on actual cases of troop disobedience confirms this.
Her work shows that when some service members openly refuse to follow illegal or immoral orders,it emboldens others to do the same. This ripple effect underscores the importance of leadership that fosters a culture of ethical accountability.
A Growing Trend: seeking Guidance and speaking Out
The initial results of our survey align with a recent surge in calls to the GI Rights Hotline, indicating a growing desire among service members for guidance on navigating potentially unlawful orders.
Furthermore, we’re seeing more service members publicly voicing their concerns. Recent examples include soldiers proactively considering their options and seeking clarity on their rights, demonstrating a willingness to stand up against potentially unlawful directives. They are actively looking to the Constitution and international law to define where they will draw the line.
What This means for the Future
This isn’t a sign of eroding military discipline. It’s a sign of a conscientious force grappling with complex ethical dilemmas and demonstrating a commitment to upholding the laws of war.
As military leaders and policymakers, it’s imperative to:
* Reinforce ethical training and legal education.
* Foster a climate where open discussion of ethical concerns is encouraged, not suppressed.
* Protect those who bravely choose to uphold their moral and legal obligations, even in the face of adversity.
This story, initially published on Aug. 13, 2025, has been updated to include a reference to a video issued by Democratic members of Congress.
Zahra Marashi, an undergraduate research assistant at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, contributed to the research for this article.
Disclaimer: *This article is based on research findings and does not constitute legal advice.Service members facing ethical