The Moral Struggle of Soldiers: Thinking About the Enemy's Families and Reasons for Fighting in War

While soldiers are trained to focus on the immediate task at hand—extracting maximum effectiveness from their weapons and tactics—there comes a time when the ferocity of war can be numbing to their rational minds. The intricate ethical dilemmas that arise from the necessity of taking a human life often leave soldiers questioning their actions and the very nature of the war they are engaged in.

Tragic Responsibilities of Ground Soldiers

As a ground soldier, your primary duty is to ensure the safety of your comrades and your mission’s success. This requires a cold, calculated mindset devoid of emotion. You must stay focused, as even a moment of indecision can be fatal. In a grounded position, each shot you take must be precise, with the understanding that anything less could result in the loss of your own life and the lives of your fellow soldiers.

Religious Conflict in Warfare

Much like the Crusades, numerous historical conflicts have been framed as divine wars, with each side believing that they are guided by a higher power. This belief can be both a unifying force and a source of division, with soldiers on both sides convinced that their side is the true representative of whatever deity they worship.

The Crusades, for instance, were characterized by a fervent belief in a holy war, where each side perceived that their cause was righteous and their enemies were evil. This mindset often extends to the perception of the enemy’s families. While it is true that soldiers are primarily focused on their own lives and missions, the thought of the suffering of the enemy’s loved ones can deeply impact their mental state and moral compass.

Moral Dilemmas and Emotional Turmoil

One of the most profound moral dilemmas faced by soldiers is the internal conflict with their own conscience. Thoughts about the enemy’s lives and their loved ones can create a significant emotional turmoil, making it difficult to perform their duties without a sense of guilt or hesitation.

A famous quote by the English thinker G.K. Chesterton encapsulates this struggle: 'A soldier does not fight for what he hates in front of him, but for what he loves and has left behind.'

This quote reflects the realization that soldiers often fight not out of a hatred for the enemy but out of a love for their families, communities, and nations. The staggering question becomes, if neither side can decisively conclude the conflict, will no one really die? Unfortunately, this is often not the case, as the outcomes of war seldom allow for such a peaceful resolution.

For instance, as a Roman legionary, I couldn't help but think about the reasons for the clash. Why did we have to fight each other? Why must that man and I kill each other? And for what? He started it, so I must finish it. If I don't, he will. And I will die, along with my family. And if I do finish it, he and his family will die.

But what would happen if neither of us finishes the task? Nobody would die. Unfortunately, this is rarely the outcome, as the nature of conflict and the complex layers of enemy families and emotions make such a scenario highly improbable.

Global conflicts, like those in the Crusades, are often perceived through the prism of religious or ideological differences. Yet, at the heart of every soldier, there lies a human being who understands the value of life and the pain of losing it. The moral struggles encountered in warfare often highlight the underlying humanity of soldiers, pushing them to confront the ethical implications of their actions.