“If war was not here would killing still be your first instinct?”

No. If war was not here then killing would not be your first instinct. They brought back this long-lost trait, first seen in our small-cranial ancestors. The trait that was key to survival in the primal ages. They stripped away your inherited ability to see life more than the cycle of consuming, reproducing, and decomposing. Putting you on this schedule, imitated by the subjects of nature. Killing should not be anyone’s instinct anymore. Not unless it is time for our authority to use us like pieces on a board. 

They try to recruit them young. That is when they are only able to watch the dreams in their heads flourish under influence. But not too old, for they are wiser and speak of importance. They will physiologically age you in the camps, under training, and through the battles. If you were to see a French man on the streets pre-war in your hometown, maybe in your head you would kill the pride that he has. But, would you stick him down with a bayonet with no regard for who is witnessing? Maybe. What about post-war? Still a slim chance. The war has shaped this generation to be primitive and obedient. In the future, they will be known as androids with little knowledge of their objective and full knowledge of their command.