In Snowpiercer why did the soldiers with hatchets seem not to care too much if they survived / got killed?

When they first started fighting they had wool hats over their eyes. Where they able to see through them? Then they did some big New Years cheer in the middle of the battle. Is there any explanation about why a soldier would put himself at a disadvantage in battle?

And the minister acted like she was on drugs as did the teacher especially when they started battle. Is there any explanation about why everyone was off kilter except for Willard and the freeloaders in the back.