The tragic reality is that in modern conflict you often engage with people you can't readily identify as an adult or child until after the shooting is over. If

The tragic reality is that in modern conflict you often engage with people you can't readily identify as an adult or child until after the shooting is over. If someone is trying to kill you, often from a distance with an AK-47 or mortar, you're going to act to save yourself and the people around you. Of course, many people will struggle in the aftermath regardless of how necessary their actions may have been. "Oh I had to kill that kid who could have been my nephew..." can be very cold comfort indeed. In the worst case when someone is trying to kill you with a blade you're going to shoot them, and it's probably going to be pretty traumatic.