Some of us are scared that the military might not be on our side.
Guess what? THEY'RE NOT ON YOUR SIDE.
This is how the military works:
Lawful order -> action or court martial (which could lead to execution.)
When a LAWFUL ORDER is given, if the person who was given that order disobeys it, then, depending on the circumstances, that person might be subjected to discipline, which could include DEATH.
Yes, sometimes if you break orders, YOU GET SHOT IN THE HEAD.
Guess who is at the very tippy-top of the military command chain?
PRESIDENT DONALD J TRUMP.
Every military man knows that the ONLY case where you can disobey an order is when it is not lawful. And you are EXPECTED to disobey unlawful orders.
And guess who is charged with enforcing the constitution and prosecuting all wars all at the same time?
PRESIDENT DONALD J TRUMP.
"Mr. Sub Commander, I need you to launch your nukes at China."
"Mr. President, I am going to need to confirm those launch codes and I may ask for some clarification to determine whether this is a lawful order."
"Here is the launch codes and here is the answers to those questions you needed. Yes, we are at war with China. Yes, we need to launch those nukes to protect our country and constitution. And you have six seconds to comply."
"YES, SIR."
Let's try another scenario.
"Mr. General, I need you to move your troops to Lansing, Michigan, and take into custody the governor and attorney general of that state, and anyone who tries to stop you. Then we will put them before a military tribunal so they can be tried for treason."
"Mr. President, I'm going to need to confirm that this is a lawful order."
"Very well, allow me to explain a little bit: I am invoking the INSURRECTION ACT as the governor and her AG have been conspiring with Chinese spies and agents to overthrow the freedom of the people in Michigan. They did X, Y, and Z. Now, if you would please hurry. I will present the rest of my evidence at the military tribunal, including top secret information that I cannot disclose to you at this time."
"Thank you Mr. President, it's an honor to serve with you."
Maybe this isn't convincing you? Let's try another.
"Mr. Colonel, that general needs to be put under arrest for insubordination. I am ordering you as President of the United States to take him into custody for disobeying a direct order."
"Yes, Mr. President, but you can understand this is highly unusual. Can you clarify for me?
"Fine, let me explain. I have given him a lawful order to arrest a known agent of the CCP operating in the United States. I have shown him some of the evidence, and invoked the insurrection act. Now, do you want me to arrest you myself or are you going to comply?"
"Yes, sir, right away."
If the President needs to:
"Marine, I know you didn't expect to see me here, wearing full body armor and carrying a rifle. But here I am! It turns out your senior officers are all traitors to the United States and agents of the CCP. I have given them lawful orders. Now I need you to arrest them, if possible. Shoot them if they resist."
"Yes, sir!"
"Good boy. Here's some extra crayons. Just kidding. You take the left, I'll take the right!"
DO YOU GET IT NOW?
Just in case you are STILL WONDERING:
"This is an emergency broadcast from the President of the United States:"
"My fellow Americans, I have detected irrefutable evidence that most of our military has been compromised by spies and allies to the CCP. Your worst fears have come true. Only a few soldiers were willing to follow the lawful orders I gave them. And now I give this order: According to X, Y, and Z, I am mobilizing the national militia. Please assemble at your nearest city center, fully armed. I will be distributing orders through my agents I have appointed in each area. Be ready for a fight. God bless America."
Now, what would YOU DO in that situation?
You got it pretty much right.
I would only add, that there is a reason the marines are called the presidents own, and there is a core group of them that report directly to him and not through the long chains of command.
also, the national guards would be federalized and be the ones to handle the coordination of civilians and organized militias with the federal troops who would be doing all the logistics and coordination. The initial call-up would take less than 24 hours and in less than a week all reserve and civilian forces would be active, integrated, and operational.
anyone refusing to obey lawful orders could technically be shot on the spot. On the flip side anyone following unlawful orders gets life in prison or execution after a trial. those trials are biased and made up of superiors, not peers so troops trend towards following along with what peers and superiors are doing.
how illegal does an order have to be before people are willing to disobey? how willing to deal with the after effects and repercussions of executing someone for refusing to follow orders? usually, you just make them do pushups or write them up on paperwork... but desperate times call for desperate measures.
national guard troops receive double training (or at least my state did) both the feds, and the state gave training on refusing lawful orders. 'following orders' is not an excuse, but you make damn sure you over your ass and the order is illegal before you disobey it.