Karmac wrote:Can I get an in-depth explanation as to why not following terrible orders is meta? One that isn't "hurr durr marnies are dumbb".
While I can understand ignoring clearly terrible orders. Sometimes, though, what might seem like a bad order to you, may not sound as bad to another.
For instance, being told to charge into the caves with no fresh supplies whatsoever is quite clearly a bad order, since charging in unprepared often just results in xenos recovering their numbers more easily.
However, being told to regroup at tablefort and wait for a supply drop after a good push into the barrens? That isn't really a bad idea, but some marines might be against the idea of stopping, being far too cocky and assuming that the xenos retreating into the cave is a sign that victory is ahead. As a CO, I had a situation like that happen where one of my squads refused to fall back and wait for the other two squads to join them after resupplying, instead believing that they have to keep pushing and pushing deeper into the caves with hardly any backup to protect them whatsoever.
Despite the logic behind my orders, they outright refused because they couldn't see the big picture, instead only seeing what they see now and assuming that a mindless charge is all one needs to do (when in reality, most mindless charges result in marines being scattered and disorganized, and thus easy pickings for xenos).
I suppose if an order is bad is quite subjective to the SLs that receive them. Some have their own goals and agendas, while others are perfectly loyal and willing to do their part even if they don't like their orders.. And then there are times where even I refuse to listen to an order if it involves cowardance, although this is a rare thing on my part.
And then there are orders that aren't so much bad as they are confusing, where an SL doesn't so much disobey but misunderstands their objective, which is why it is important for COs to make their goals clear so people understand their intents.
