I wouldn't want anyone to hesitate before taking what ever shot it was
incumbent on them to make either
I'm in full agreement that mil aircrew are there to perform a role, regardless of their personal views. The RAF / USAF etc are not just large flying clubs.
Yet sometimes just a moments hesitation is entirely the right course of action. For example in Courtney's Journal, he reports scrambling from Wideawake airfield to intercept an incoming aircraft, which was suspected of being an Argentine transport aeroplane. Acting on his 'hunch' that something wasn't quite as it appeared, he hesitated long enough to confirm it was actually an in coming RN helicopter. Yet engaging immediately would have been an acceptable course of action, given the information first available.
How many other FJ pilots have 'hesitated' long enough for the situation to change completely, and slept much better as a result of it?