Here is one job that I wish automation would replace | Eastern North Carolina Now

    I doubt if there will ever be a robot that can calculate the value of a human life.

    As much as we would like to eliminate some jobs, there will always be a need for some. Here again, human nature will require some people to do the jobs that robots cannot.

    One of the jobs that I wish could be replaced with a robot or automation is the common infantry soldier or "grunt" as they are called in the service. We have designed very sophisticated weapons that can cause mass destruction. We have the ability to almost destroy the world.

"Below are the boys of Bravo Company 4th Platoon, 25 Infantry Division, 2nd 12th Infantry 1968"
    However, armed combat is not a kill everything in sight and let God sort it out. In any combat situation, there are decisions required. Not every target is clearly separated from non-targets. Not every target is easy to identify by uniform or location. Many times, there is a value judgement to make on whether the target is an enemy or friendly force.

    Do not ever let anyone tell you that killing them all is a solution. It never is that easy. The purpose of combat is to destroy and discourage the enemy. It is just one little word; ENEMY. It is so easy to say and sometimes so hard to identify.

    Among other things, there are at least two things every thinking combat soldier will ponder for the rest of his or her life. One is did I do everything I could to protect my buddies, another is can I live with the things that I did do.

    One of the first things a grunt learns in training is "After all the bombs and artillery are through, someone will have to go in to finish the job. That is you".

    So after all is said and done, there are some jobs that just can't be replaced by automation. Like a policeman, you sometimes have to make a decision to fire or not to fire.

    Just for what it is worth, I include the pilots in the A-1 Skyraider Spad and any close combat fighter in this category. Just an instant can mean the difference of either a successful mission or a catastrophe causing friendly casualties.

    No, I do not think there will ever be a way to replace that most human of emotions; Calculating the value of a human life.