What's the difference between a soldier, an assassin, and a mercenary?

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by onelifecrisis

If "duty" means "follows orders regardless of personal morality (if any)" then I can agree with that part.
The other three are all properties of an individual; they are not magically "instilled" (your word) in someone when they take a certain job.

coming from a military family, i can tell you that most soldiers do have an enlarged sense of patriotism and honor.

duty has multiple definitions i suppose?

Duty to me and many i know does not mean "follows orders without regard to personal morality" - duty means a sense of obligation or dedication to a cause larger than one's self.

ie - if i were in the peace corps it would have been my "duty" to help people in need and promote intercultural understanding through peaceful initiatives and projects.

as a flight instructor - it is my duty to see that my student receives the best possible training that i am capable of providing.