This question came up years ago, while the US was embroiled in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Arguments were abound as to why someone could be, and why someone couldn’t be a Jedi and still serve in the Armed Forces. Oftentimes, those in favor were active military members or veterans, while those against were civilians or people who for some reason or another couldn’t get past basic training.
This question hasn’t come up yet…but if you are following the news, you know there is a likely war on the horizon that may start even before the end of this month. One which could be argued that the aggressor is starting for far less righteous reasons than Iraq or Afghanistan. If you haven’t been able to figure it out, I’m referring to the war that Russia will likely rage on Ukraine.
One could make the statement that “sure, anyone that stands in military defense with Ukraine can be a Jedi”, but I’m not looking to address Ukraine or Western Forces that may or may not rush to their aide. You see, it is not as well known, but we do have people who aspire to be real life Jedi in Russia too- and amongst their own allies. This discussion is about whether or not a Jedi can be a member of a legal government Armed Forces branch, who’s government is raging an unrighteous war?
For anyone that is not aware of my history, I am a former US Soldier, a veteran of Iraqi Freedom. I know that soldiers struggle with their morality on the battleground, I watched many of my brothers and sisters work through it during my time in the service. I was fortunate enough to never be put into a situation where my morals and values were the difference between life and death. And while I never met anyone that had to contend with that particular problem (such is the case of the Afghanistan Maywand District Murders), I am aware that there are service members who did have to face these problems. Many of which faced the real possibility of death if they didn’t participate or didn’t keep their mouth shut. So as we move through this discussion, know that I recognize there are monsters of varying degrees within the military ranks. But there are also a number of really good people amongst them too- people who often disagree with the war they are sent to participate in.
Facing Your Government’s Decisions
My husband was a Military Police (MP) soldier at a Theatre Internment Facility (TIF). That’s significantly larger than the detainee facility I was a guard at. Their detainees were also there for a far longer sentence than my own. His detainees often asked the soldiers how they felt about the war, and were surprised at how many disagreed with it. They were further surprised to find that it was common amongst US Armed Forces to believe we had no real business in the war after our initial shock and awe following 9-11.
What our service members could do, is ensure that those in their care were afforded their dignity and human respect, which is outlined in the Geneva Conventions. They could ensure that their fellow service members were following the rules as well. After all, it is a body of actions which are not to be tolerated, but human life should always be respected.
Despite disagreeing with the war, US service members still carried out their mission in accordance with our government’s wants. But we were guided by the principles of our respective services and international law. It is of note, that many of these principles were not created by a Commander-in-Chief, but rather by the leaders and officers within the ranks of a particular branch, and the collection of government politicians which supported Geneva & Hague. Our government’s role was to hold us accountable for not following LAWFUL orders. Orders which include standing against unlawful orders. In this way, even if our government was corrupt, we could stand as a barrier to that corruption and present a very different face to the people we came in contact with. That is the power of individual soldiers – the ability to provide something the cold government cannot: A chance for humanity to enter into the equation and encourage opportunity for humanitarian improvements.
We tend to look at war in a very cold way, but a lot has been done in the last 100 years to transform the environment and make it more apparent that war is not just war. It’s not just the loss of a loved one’s life for a cause unworthy of fighting. In fact many soldiers which supported the wars, did so on the basis of it being a humanitarian effort to remove malicious actors. Though, today, many of those same people may feel it was hopeless after the rise of ISIL and the stage that the Taliban is building in Afghanistan today.
Still, there is a very large difference between the US Military and Russia’s- we’re 100% Volunteer Army with the possibility of Draft, but Russia mandates and even does drafted-conscription. According to a September 23, 2020 Center for Strategic & International Studies release, of the 1 million men that made up the active duty Russian military, 260,000 were conscripts and 410,000 were contract soldiers. Conscription dodging is not simple, and it is punishable by 2 years imprisonment (rather than 1 year conscription)- though sometimes in ways that are far worse. One story, released by France24 on May 3, 2021 spoke of an individual who was taken away by force from his home, and dropped off at a military installation in the artic with no means of access to a phone. All communication had to be done through snail mail, which took weeks to arrive. Furthermore, they had to often melt ice for water, which indicates they didn’t have any real support.
When we discuss the topic of whether or not a Jedi can be a soldier, especially when their government is waging an unrighteous war, we must take into account that there are many truths for the service member-
- They may not agree with the war.
- They may be legitimately forced into the situation and the only way out is death.
To point 2, although one could try their luck at being able to avoid conscription on a very slim chance, the desperation of a government body to get what it wants actually puts people in a position where they would have a better chance at survival if they take the training now, rather than waiting on the government to throw them into a situation where their chances of survival drastically decrease. It’s a legitimate issue of being stuck between a rock and a hard place. The evidence I present to you, is that Russia has demonstrated that it will force a person into conscription even when it may be preferred by the conscriptee to take jail time.
Furthermore, if we are to take conscription off the table and only look at those whom have volunteered, we can see that a service member may have joined for a variety of reasons that do not relate to their government’s values. As long as the Voluntary Army allows is in agreement with a Jedi’s morals and values, their presence can contribute to the difference between the human element and the cold government their service unfortunately represents. Thus, it would be unfair to a person to judge whether or not they are Jedi based on their military service during an unrighteous war alone.
Facing Adversity
What makes or breaks a Jedi, is not their career. It’s their conduct within that role. As we go into discussions around the community about the next edited version of the Jedi Compass, I find it of interest that one of the suggestions for “Fortitude” is to change the language from “until they have drawn their last breath” to something less fatal. Both the original, and the suggested change speak to a possible difference in mindset as to what kind of culture we were living in. In the West, the problems we face are social these days, and not in terms of violence. In fact, one might argue that the it’s because we see so many people use violence in order to stand their ground, when peaceful resolutions have not been exhausted.
In truth, perhaps “until they have drawn their last breath” is most appropriate to those who protect others in a physical way (Soldier, Police Officer, Protective Detail, etc). But it can also be for very high profile persons (such as politicians and activists like Martin Luther King, Jr.). Granted, the majority of us are not in these categories, but it doesn’t mean there is no chance we won’t find ourselves in a situation where he guidance “until I’ve drawn my last breath” is appropriate advice.
In any case, it does certainly apply to the soldier in an unrighteous war. For if you truly are committed to any value system, it should be worth dying for - otherwise, you are simply going through the motions and hoping to be accepted by the culture.
During war, even if their country does not recognize it, Jedi in service to their country have an obligation to follow International Law before they follow the orders of their country. This is because we are called to “act for the best interest of mankind as [the Jedi] see[s] the situation”(Respect the Law, Jedi Compass), and to not tolerate actions in which “a reasonable person would consider the individual’s actions as a/an (emotionally, spiritually, financially and/or physically) abusive threat to you or another person” (Tolerance, Jedi Compass). Studying the Geneva Conventions & Hague Laws on War, as they exist today, a Jedi will find that these are good guide posts to accomplish exactly this respect for life that the Anderson/Skywalker Code insists upon (“Jedi respect all life, in any form”).
Redemption
That does not, however, mean you should forfeit your life in the traditional sense of the word. If we look to the fiction’s guidance on how to apply the Jedi Code, we read “Jedi were permitted to break the laws, but only when it was required, and only if they were willing to suffer the consequences”(Honor the Code, Wookieepedia). To explain this, let’s turn to the My Lai Massacre.
It is understandable that someone of the men were at a disadvantage to do anything to stop the massacre. While some balked, the others were faced with a difficult situation- to obey or possibly find themselves dead as well. When chaos hits, it may be impossible to stop yourself from following through out of fear for your life. This is one reason that Jedi should train to discipline themselves in thinking before they act. But we have to remember that Jedi also believe in Redemption. That was the whole point of Luke and Vader’s final battle- that we can all be redeemed if we take the opportunity for it.
To this end, the offer I have to any Jedi who finds themselves being sucked into the dark side comes from a very different fictional universe- Full Metal Alchemist: Once the war was done, when everything was settled, Roy Mustang (a beloved character, mind you) planned to go on trial for the war crimes he committed under the current government. The only reason he didn’t seek it before hand, was because there was no one who could hold him accountable, so his personal mission was to create a government that wouldn’t just ignore what he did because he was a hero to the people.
The unfortunate story of My Lai, is that it took an outsider who heard about the event and realized it was being covered up. He tried to write the president and several people in higher levels of the military and government to get it addressed. But when nothing happened, he finally reached out to a journalist to get the story out in the public so that the US Army was forced to deal with the problem. The actions of Ron Ridenhour are reflective of what a Jedi’s role should be in difficult cases like the My Lai Massacre. Even if a person’s judgement in the moment causes them to become party to the events. They should be willing to stand trial for their actions, for in doing so they also bring to light those things within the ranks that need to be changed, as well as begin their own path towards redemption for having gone against their own morals and ethics.
Conclusion
A Jedi can be a Soldier, even if they are serving in an unrighteous war. But only if they make every effort to stand by the Jedi Philosophy. A Jedi serving as a soldier cannot let fear rule their actions (There is no emotion, there is peace/ Emotion, yet Peace), but rather work to increase our discipline and fortitude so that they can maintain their Loyalty to the Jedi Code and integrity to the fullness of the Jedi Path. So, if you find yourself in an unrighteous war, remember to find moments when you can meditate on your actions to find where you need improvement, and determine where you need to rectify a wrong. Because the truth is- if you're in an unrighteous war, you may be the only one that can act on behalf of the victims.