The Foundation of a Soldier's Obligation.
Abstract
A primary responsibility of a strategic military leader is to exemplify and promulgate standards of conduct within his organization which demonstrate that the organization is accountable for the use of power entrusted to it by the citizens of the state. To achieve this end, military leaders must serve as mentors, trainers and developers of soldiers capable of moral decision-making. Leadership always includes considerations of ethics. But as soldiers become increasingly proficient in moral thinking cases may arise in which their well-developed personal principles cause them to question their obligation to the state. Should a soldier serve in a particular war he believes to be unjust? This paper explores the subject of selective conscientious objection. It examines the traditional formulation of justice of war and individual obligation in light of the information age and argues that, in the future, appeals to duress and ignorance which absolve soldiers of responsibility for their state's actions will no longer suffice.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA309308
Entities
People
- Walter E. Wentz
Organizations
- United States Army War College