Quote Originally Posted by Ken White View Post
I don't disagree with any of that, nor did I suggest anything to the contrary.
As I suggested earlier it may all be in the semantics.

I tend to shy away from the word 'questions' because it may be construed as order being 'questioned'.

There is a big difference between in combat and during training for combat.

During training there is plenty of time to discuss the reasons behind actions with all ranks. Certainly in the time I spent training officers I encouraged them to think/analyze/etc... in fact if they did not have an opinion on the matter under discussion I considered them to be (intellectually) limited.

In fact when you are training for a war into which you will be hurled in a matter of months or less it tends to focus the attention. It is in this period of training for war that you allow troops to seek clarity, to discuss drills and tactics and reach a level where they understand what is expected of them and the possible tactical options that they will be required to take part in. (note: no use of the word 'question'.)

Once you cock your weapon and head out the time for seeking clarity is over. You just do as you are damn well told.