First of all Your question seems rootless in are your written.Are you writing in response to another subject not evident in your question?
In the heat of combat.Your first thought is the neutralize the enemies ability to push forward with their attack.Once and for all.Then and In the future.To save as many lives on both sides.As you can.
When you see your fellow soldier's die under such horrible way's You get that slap in the face mentality.
Intelligence and hatred training keeps you a live period.And it is not luck.That gets you through,but those skills,and mentalities.
60 years has been a lot of time.For the blood to dry upon the rocks.
What does your boyfriend have to do with it?