There is very good reason that the military is trained to follow orders without question. It is because the forces cannot be democratic set-ups where split-second life and death decisions begin to be taken by a committee. Deployment of military assets follows a chain of command unquestioningly because in battle speed and discipline is paramount. A too smart for his own good soldier who decides to give tippani and inputs during every battle will ruin discipline, operation and risk the lives of all involved. If every strategic or ground engagement decision was taken after a huddle, there will be chaos in the military and no one will listen to anyone. You have seen what a Parliament looks like. Now imagine that in olive green uniforms instead of white kurta pajamas. That is why a military man must obey unquestioningly, even if that means taking a bullet for a politician you or I despise. That is the way it must be. While the military’s duty is to obey every command unquestioningly and to engage in any battle or deployment unquestioningly on the orders of the civilian government, it is the duty of civilians like us to ask those questions so that some of the bravest and most disciplined men of our country are not engaged in battles unworthy of their sacrifice. Their patriotism is to obey orders without question. Our patriotism is to question those orders.