Ethics on the Political Battlefield

Abstract

This paper is intended to serve as an ethical primer for those professional military officers who are on an initial assignment beyond the familiar territory of their primary specialty training. It also can be used by more senior officers as they prepare for service at higher levels of government where the political aspects of their duties can cause increased stress on their ethical obligations. Through a series of real-life situations, the ethical dilemmas presented by military service in the highly politicized environment of Washington, D.C. are analyzed and discussed. Ethical correctness and professional obligation are explored in an attempt to help the reader understand the environment in which he/she will be serving. A model for ethical decision making is then presented and an ethical filter is provided to aid in the ethical decision making process. Use of the model and filter by officers serving in highly politicized positions will enable them to make ethically correct decisions and take the action that ought to be taken.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA262238

Entities

People

  • Ralph B. Churchill

Organizations

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Contractors
  • Department Of Defense
  • Employment
  • General Officers
  • Governments
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • New York
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychology
  • Security
  • Students
  • Training
  • United States Government
  • Universities
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Military Leadership and Professional Education.
  • Strategic Security Studies