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On Killing Remotely: The Psychology of Killing with Drones
A “can’t-miss for anyone interested in current military affairs,” On Killing Remotely reveals and explores the costs—to individual soldiers and to society—of the way we wage war today (Kirkus Reviews, starred).
Throughout history society has determined specific rules of engagement between adversaries in armed conflict. With advances in technology, from armor to in the Middle Ages to nerve gas in World War I to weapons of mass destruction in our own time, the rules have constantly evolved. Today, when killing the enemy can seem palpably risk-free and tantamount to playing a violent video game, what constitutes warfare? What is the effect of remote combat on individual soldiers? And what are the unforeseen repercussions that could affect us all?
Lt Col Wayne Phelps, former commander of a Remotely Piloted Aircraft unit, addresses these questions and many others as he tells the story of the men and women of today’s “chair force.” Exploring the ethics of remote military engagement, the misconceptions about PTSD among RPA operators, and the specter of military weaponry controlled by robots, his book is an urgent and compelling reminder that it should always be difficult to kill another human being lest we risk losing what makes us human.
Throughout history society has determined specific rules of engagement between adversaries in armed conflict. With advances in technology, from armor to in the Middle Ages to nerve gas in World War I to weapons of mass destruction in our own time, the rules have constantly evolved. Today, when killing the enemy can seem palpably risk-free and tantamount to playing a violent video game, what constitutes warfare? What is the effect of remote combat on individual soldiers? And what are the unforeseen repercussions that could affect us all?
Lt Col Wayne Phelps, former commander of a Remotely Piloted Aircraft unit, addresses these questions and many others as he tells the story of the men and women of today’s “chair force.” Exploring the ethics of remote military engagement, the misconceptions about PTSD among RPA operators, and the specter of military weaponry controlled by robots, his book is an urgent and compelling reminder that it should always be difficult to kill another human being lest we risk losing what makes us human.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published June 8, 2021
52 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
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September 16, 2021A straightforward military report, based on abundant case studies, testimonials, and firsthand interviews with drone pilots, about what it means to kill remotely. I plan to write a more substantive review at later date for publication, but suffice to say this book had some interesting information about what it is like to be a drone pilot and to take life in such an environment. The author is ex-military themselves and mainly concerned with maximizing the effectiveness of these weapons and defending their operators. I did come away with less of an impression that it was all simply a video game to them.
December 8, 2022
Pretty mixed on this one, looking back. On one hand, I appreciate that the author did a fairly large survey of the men and women operating the RPAs, and went into detail about all facets of the psychological experience. It gave me a much better understanding of the potential trauma faced, how draining of a job it is (especially with the fucked up shift hours), and, especially, how the high magnification on the cameras makes it this weird cross b/t long and short range combat.
That alone was good to read about. How, on the one hand, they could hardly be further away. But, on the other, they're watching these guys so closely for so long, that it's this weirdly intimate experience. Gave a lot of perspective on what the operators go through.
On the other hand, I feel like the book was a little short on why exactly the public might not sympathize with them. I read this a little while ago, so my memory might be wrong, but my recollection is that it was framed as casual disrespect (calling their vehicles "drones", saying they're just desk jockeys, etc.), alongside with a lack of understanding about the care taken to minimize casualties and how seriously they take their responsibilities.
But is that reallyyyyy what the most serious animosity and contention might be about? It's not about the bombed weddings, the relentless decades-long bombing campaign on people who had no hand in 9/11, the substitution of procedure for oversight and accountability?
And I know that's not the main focus of the book. And I can understand why you'd want to keep a book like this specific and laser-focused on the main goal of describing the psychology. I understand this is not a book looking to litigate the full suite and intention of tactics used in the Afghanistan wars. But looking back I'm a little incredulous that some of the most cutting and damning indictments leveled against the program were not fully addressed and acknowledged.
To accept that the status quo will be more and more RPAs, to say that it's inevitable without grappling with whether that's a moral thing or not, that feels like tacit acceptance to me.
IDK. This is an absurdly long review. The author was a very competent writer well-suited to this work, but I can't shake the feeling that true introspection may have been missing here.
That alone was good to read about. How, on the one hand, they could hardly be further away. But, on the other, they're watching these guys so closely for so long, that it's this weirdly intimate experience. Gave a lot of perspective on what the operators go through.
On the other hand, I feel like the book was a little short on why exactly the public might not sympathize with them. I read this a little while ago, so my memory might be wrong, but my recollection is that it was framed as casual disrespect (calling their vehicles "drones", saying they're just desk jockeys, etc.), alongside with a lack of understanding about the care taken to minimize casualties and how seriously they take their responsibilities.
But is that reallyyyyy what the most serious animosity and contention might be about? It's not about the bombed weddings, the relentless decades-long bombing campaign on people who had no hand in 9/11, the substitution of procedure for oversight and accountability?
And I know that's not the main focus of the book. And I can understand why you'd want to keep a book like this specific and laser-focused on the main goal of describing the psychology. I understand this is not a book looking to litigate the full suite and intention of tactics used in the Afghanistan wars. But looking back I'm a little incredulous that some of the most cutting and damning indictments leveled against the program were not fully addressed and acknowledged.
To accept that the status quo will be more and more RPAs, to say that it's inevitable without grappling with whether that's a moral thing or not, that feels like tacit acceptance to me.
IDK. This is an absurdly long review. The author was a very competent writer well-suited to this work, but I can't shake the feeling that true introspection may have been missing here.
June 5, 2021
Advanced Copy: My husband is the author. 😀
February 18, 2023
2.5 ⭐️ the writing was redundant and a severe misunderstanding of why some might have issues with the military on top of giving far more credit to the general publics awareness of RPA programs. The last quarter of the book was difficult to get through.
May 12, 2023
Repetitive and over simplifying, this author doesn’t provide good data or even footnotes so that you can cross check his sweeping generalizations.
January 3, 2024
This was a very interesting read. The discussion of RPAs and the social clout(or lack there of) that exists in different military communities was fascinating. Specifically the friction points where RPA operators deal with the trauma of being at war while also being located in the US. And how they are delegitimized even though they played a critical role in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The specific difficulties and challenges the RPA community faces, according to the author, are unique as compared to other mil communities. The author also discussed the proliferation of RPAs and what regulators are trying to do to stop these weapons ending up in the wrong hands. Great read, I learned a lot!
November 12, 2022
Very interesting insight and take on RPA warfare. My only gripe was how often points and information were repeated; some straight forward concepts were explained ad nauseam.
December 14, 2024
Wayne Phelps’ On Killing Remotely offers a detailed examination of the psychological and emotional toll of modern warfare, specifically focusing on drone operators and other remote combatants. The book provides a ground-level view of how these individuals deal with the act of killing from a distance, exploring the unique challenges they face compared to traditional soldiers.
While the subject matter is timely and important, the book leans heavily on anecdotal evidence and lacks the intellectual depth or philosophical analysis found in more scholarly works on warfare. Phelps does a good job of humanizing drone operators, but the analysis remains fairly straightforward, offering more of a practical exploration of the psychological consequences rather than a profound inquiry into the broader ethical implications of remote warfare.
For readers interested in a basic understanding of how remote combat affects its participants, On Killing Remotely is informative and an accessible read. This is why the book left me seeking deeper insights into the ethics and future of warfare.
While the subject matter is timely and important, the book leans heavily on anecdotal evidence and lacks the intellectual depth or philosophical analysis found in more scholarly works on warfare. Phelps does a good job of humanizing drone operators, but the analysis remains fairly straightforward, offering more of a practical exploration of the psychological consequences rather than a profound inquiry into the broader ethical implications of remote warfare.
For readers interested in a basic understanding of how remote combat affects its participants, On Killing Remotely is informative and an accessible read. This is why the book left me seeking deeper insights into the ethics and future of warfare.
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June 6, 2023I was hoping this would be a book focused on what the subtitle promised, but it rather seems equally to be an opportunity to defend the use of drones and the reach of the US military. I'm not opposed to listening to and learning from this argument in good faith, but this book is rife with logical fallacies and ignores so many of the counter-arguments that it can't be recommended.
June 15, 2021
On Killing Remotely provides keen insight into the world of military members involved in remotely piloted aircraft activities. Before I was assigned to an unmanned aircraft systems unit, I had my own preconceived notions about the responsibilities of this type of warfare. While our aircraft held no passengers, make no mistake, each one was manned by a team - hence the term remotely piloted aircraft. Mr. Phelps does a great job of capturing the dynamics of life in a unit that operates RPA and highlights common challenges that face the RPA community, US military, elected officials, and our citizens.
While it wasn’t a primary focus of this book, I really appreciated the discussion related to shift work and the application of human factors considerations (such as circadian rhythm and sleep deprivation) while determining how best to employ your work force. There has been so much research into this topic that it seems surprisingly archaic that organizations (in any industry) still rely on rotational shift scheduling and consistent 12 hour workdays as their solution to workplace efficiency. Military effectiveness, regardless of the physical location of the unit, is always best when individual warfighters are operating at their best. Set the proper conditions.
I am most definitely recommending this book to family, friends, fellow Marines, and strangers on the street that would like to know more about the characteristics of modern day warfare.
While it wasn’t a primary focus of this book, I really appreciated the discussion related to shift work and the application of human factors considerations (such as circadian rhythm and sleep deprivation) while determining how best to employ your work force. There has been so much research into this topic that it seems surprisingly archaic that organizations (in any industry) still rely on rotational shift scheduling and consistent 12 hour workdays as their solution to workplace efficiency. Military effectiveness, regardless of the physical location of the unit, is always best when individual warfighters are operating at their best. Set the proper conditions.
I am most definitely recommending this book to family, friends, fellow Marines, and strangers on the street that would like to know more about the characteristics of modern day warfare.
September 17, 2021
I started reading this book with no expectations. It is a powerful, thought-provoking, highly relevant and well-written book regarding all aspects and issues of the military use of drones and remote killing. I could not put it down, except for times when I just had to settle down and really consider the topics, ethics, psychological, legal and moral issues of this under reported, often maligned part of our warrior culture. I just bought a copy for my brother - and hope he will share it with his fellow veterans after reading it. I hope this book gains a wide audience. The multiple and complex issues raised by the writer should be addressed at higher levels in the military, support systems, training platforms, etc. It's a Pandora's Box - the issues regarding the training, deployment, and sustaining the warriors who are being placed in this new military role. I highly recommend it. RPA's will be in our lives and our wars and we need to understand the training, support, culture and psychological issues that have arisen with this new form of warfare and the warriors who will utilize this technology to support our military in the field. And not covered in his book, but given how many Chinese drones are becoming available, and no idea how much Russian has invested in this weapons technology - is how we, American citizens are going to feel if these weapons are turned back and used against us in our homeland.
November 10, 2022
Ugh.
This book is an incoherent defence of killing with drones.
Why incoherent? Well, it rambles into stupid advice like "go to bed at the same time every day" and other complete irrelevancies. The author, a military man, thinks that because commanded a troop of drone soldiers and he's interviewed a bunch of RPA (remote pilot aircraft) pilots, he has authority on things like trauma and their psychology. Then he tells us of the culture of "don't tell" in the military, especially among RPA operators ... uh, so why does he think they would tell a "lieutenant colonel"?
Also incoherent because he keeps saying that he'll talk about something in a later chapter--maybe that should tell you that your organization sucks.
His understanding of ethics appears profoundly stunted, which is seriously disappointing in someone who claims to have any understanding of the psychology of soldiers.
In his last chapter, he offers a check list for how to make RPA flying more palatable. But it doesn't fly.
At least he acknowledges the importance of keeping humans in the decision-making loop.
This book is an incoherent defence of killing with drones.
Why incoherent? Well, it rambles into stupid advice like "go to bed at the same time every day" and other complete irrelevancies. The author, a military man, thinks that because commanded a troop of drone soldiers and he's interviewed a bunch of RPA (remote pilot aircraft) pilots, he has authority on things like trauma and their psychology. Then he tells us of the culture of "don't tell" in the military, especially among RPA operators ... uh, so why does he think they would tell a "lieutenant colonel"?
Also incoherent because he keeps saying that he'll talk about something in a later chapter--maybe that should tell you that your organization sucks.
His understanding of ethics appears profoundly stunted, which is seriously disappointing in someone who claims to have any understanding of the psychology of soldiers.
In his last chapter, he offers a check list for how to make RPA flying more palatable. But it doesn't fly.
At least he acknowledges the importance of keeping humans in the decision-making loop.
December 21, 2022
4.75
I really enjoyed this book. I think it is a great look into the humanity of drone pilots. As a daughter of an army infantry man and a scholar in security studies, I appreciate the time to give the soldiers themselves the respect they are needed. RPA pilots are often dismissed and treated poorly because of the distance from the battlefield, but their experience and intimacy of war is no different from other soldiers.
My one complaint that keeps this book from being 5 stars is it is a bit repetitive. The book itself could be about 50-75 pages shorter and it would still have the same impact. But overall, it’s a great piece to read and gives a good look at the humanity of RPA pilots.
I really enjoyed this book. I think it is a great look into the humanity of drone pilots. As a daughter of an army infantry man and a scholar in security studies, I appreciate the time to give the soldiers themselves the respect they are needed. RPA pilots are often dismissed and treated poorly because of the distance from the battlefield, but their experience and intimacy of war is no different from other soldiers.
My one complaint that keeps this book from being 5 stars is it is a bit repetitive. The book itself could be about 50-75 pages shorter and it would still have the same impact. But overall, it’s a great piece to read and gives a good look at the humanity of RPA pilots.
January 4, 2024
My first exposure to psychology literature that wasn’t textbook or from class. A fascinating breakdown on the psychological mechanisms of RPA programs and the alterations that manifest in each nook of the mission. Very relevant in civilian life now with the ease of access to genuine combat footage coming out of the Middle East, Africa, South America, and now Eastern Europe. Not so much the more complex elements of having the responsibility of producing this footage or the chain of command directing it, but anything relating to desensitization and something commonly known in the book as “the distance of sexual intimacy”.
December 21, 2022
Captivating
An in-depth weapon history, weapon category and personnel dossier on remote killing and drones. Revealing the complicated, and many times stark, sobering and combat facts and evolution of distant-warfare. Exposing the complications and challenges of the actual realities and strains physically, mentally and culturally.
Don D. Middle East analyst
An in-depth weapon history, weapon category and personnel dossier on remote killing and drones. Revealing the complicated, and many times stark, sobering and combat facts and evolution of distant-warfare. Exposing the complications and challenges of the actual realities and strains physically, mentally and culturally.
Don D. Middle East analyst
June 28, 2021
3.5 stars
July 21, 2021
A really interesting conversation on the use of these tools during warfare. Also interesting as a Brit to see the American use of these.
May 6, 2022
really quite accurate and insightful
Want to read
June 1, 2024E
October 2, 2022
I really liked this book, as it examined a profession that I had not considered. Seemed well researched, and that he was a topic expert. Very much felt like a large addendum to his other books at times, but overall I think his points and key takeaways came through.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews