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malthaussen

(18,338 posts)

40. My ROTC Ranger group committed mass mutiny one time...

Thu Nov 27, 2025, 12:32 PM

Thursday

... it was at the semester banquet. The "Ranger" group was an organization of cadets who were infantry-oriented, and our faculty advisor was a real nutcase-hardcase "airborne all the way" Major. At this time, ROTC was in bad odor, and the Rangers amounted to about six or seven people, as I recall.
Anyway, Major Ironsides (not his real name) ordered that, when the semester awards for special groups (not "clubs," no, nothing like that) were handed out at the end of the banquet, and the Rangers were announced, we as a body should all leap to our feet and shout "RANGER!!!!" Nothing was said, but we all exchanged wry glances, and when the event occurred, we remained steadfastly in our seats.

It wasn't the only time we ignored the good Major's instructions. It must have driven him crazy, because he couldn't do a thing about it.

-- Mal

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I refused orders once... [View all] Capperdan Nov 26 OP

I never disobeyed an order when I was on active duty EYESORE 9001 Nov 26 #1

It's amazing what people (soldiers) will do if they've been told the "others" are the enemy. erronis Nov 26 #3

Trump needs to lie to the soldiers and sailors popsdenver Nov 26 #21

You can be a lot proud of that one. TheRickles Nov 26 #2

Please accept my gratitude, sir! lastlib Nov 26 #4

Thank you lastlib Capperdan Nov 26 #9

And you should be proud, MarineCombatEngineer Nov 26 #5

And back at you MCE Capperdan Nov 26 #10

The closest I came was in the USAF in 1969. MineralMan Nov 26 #6

My hat off to you, MM. That takes guts and a true sense of what's right. erronis Nov 26 #23

Or, I'm a smartass. MineralMan Nov 26 #24

I think you were a smart smartass. 3catwoman3 Nov 26 #25

I had a similar experience LogDog75 Nov 26 #34

Yes, exactly. MineralMan Thursday #36

We were breaking down our NDP (night defensive position), and The Wizard Nov 26 #7

Yup, brave. Joinfortmill Nov 26 #8

more info? NJCher Nov 26 #11

LOL! Great gifs FakeNoose Nov 26 #20

You should be proud. Nt Figarosmom Nov 26 #12

Love that you did this, and that blue_jay Nov 26 #13

And you should be mountain grammy Nov 26 #14

A little proud? llmart Nov 26 #15

Good on you. 3catwoman3 Nov 26 #16

Im sure it would have Capperdan Nov 26 #27

Thank you Capperdan! Clouds Passing Nov 26 #17

I salute your service, honor and integrity, Capperdan Grim Chieftain Nov 26 #18

Well thanks, GC Capperdan Nov 26 #28

Had a friend in the Army refuse an order in Vietnam surfered Nov 26 #19

thank you for your honorable service. cab67 Nov 26 #22

My father refused Bmoboy Nov 26 #26

Thank you KT2000 Nov 26 #29

Thank you. I'm proud of you too. Ohioboy Nov 26 #30

Precisely the Correct Action Nictuku Nov 26 #31

On the other hand . . . Aussie105 Nov 26 #32

If that happened, no one would consider charging the coerced soldier. TomSlick Nov 26 #33

My late brother, who flew BlueMTexpat Thursday #35

This message was self-deleted by its author sarchasm Thursday #37

I was in 6-years. I NEVER got an illegal order. Grins Thursday #38

At Kent State the students tricked a gung ho commander into following them. GreenWave Thursday #39

Those were crazy times to be 20 years old Capperdan Thursday #41

My ROTC Ranger group committed mass mutiny one time... malthaussen Thursday #40

On the other hand (and only tangentially related) malthaussen Thursday #42

I am thankful I never had to face a situation in which I would have to refuse an order. mucholderthandirt Thursday #43