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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 Wednesday OP

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

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

Trump needs to lie to the soldiers and sailors popsdenver Wednesday #21

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

Please accept my gratitude, sir! lastlib Wednesday #4

Thank you lastlib Capperdan Wednesday #9

And you should be proud, MarineCombatEngineer Wednesday #5

And back at you MCE Capperdan Wednesday #10

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

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

Or, I'm a smartass. MineralMan Wednesday #24

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

I had a similar experience LogDog75 Wednesday #34

Yes, exactly. MineralMan Thursday #36

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

Yup, brave. Joinfortmill Wednesday #8

more info? NJCher Wednesday #11

LOL! Great gifs FakeNoose Wednesday #20

You should be proud. Nt Figarosmom Wednesday #12

Love that you did this, and that blue_jay Wednesday #13

And you should be mountain grammy Wednesday #14

A little proud? llmart Wednesday #15

Good on you. 3catwoman3 Wednesday #16

Im sure it would have Capperdan Wednesday #27

Thank you Capperdan! Clouds Passing Wednesday #17

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

Well thanks, GC Capperdan Wednesday #28

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

thank you for your honorable service. cab67 Wednesday #22

My father refused Bmoboy Wednesday #26

Thank you KT2000 Wednesday #29

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

Precisely the Correct Action Nictuku Wednesday #31

On the other hand . . . Aussie105 Wednesday #32

If that happened, no one would consider charging the coerced soldier. TomSlick Wednesday #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