Leadership: The Decisive Factor in the Ethical Performance of Units
Abstract
Just war theory encompasses the history, evolution, and current status of thinking on, and the rationality of, the laws of war. The theory is concerned with the moral requirements necessary to engage in war (jus ad bellum) and the just conduct of war (jus in bello). This paper concerns the latter, jus in bello, the ethical conduct during war or armed conflict. The just conduct of war has two major components: discrimination and proportionality. Discrimination essentially means that military forces should only target other combatants. The intentional killing of non-combatants (such as civilians) should be avoided. Every effort should be made to avoid non-combatant casualties. Proportionality refers to the principle of using only the amount of force needed to accomplish a military objective. This concept seeks to limit suffering by restraining the use of excessive force. These two fundamental principles of just war theory inform the moral conduct of war. Many other rules and guidelines stem from these concepts. The U.S. Army augmented and codified these concepts through the development of rules of engagement (ROEs) applicable to specific operations. Military leaders are the moral arbiters in war. They serve as values champions and are responsible for the ethical climate of their units. The laws of war and ROEs serve as their guideposts. The degree to which a unit complies with the rules and conventions that constrain combat operations serves as an indication of its ethical climate. This paper discusses the role of leaders in creating a command climate that encourages ethical behavior evidenced by consistent and proper adherence to the laws of war and ROEs. The author explains why this is important for today's Army and suggests that the commander (at any level) is the single most significant factor in creating a climate that produces ethical conduct. He concludes by suggesting some leader and unit characteristics that contribute to a healthy command climate.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA448481
Entities
People
- David M. Miller
Organizations
- United States Army War College