Accession Number:

ADA404268

Title:

Ethics-Redirecting the Army's Moral Compass

Descriptive Note:

Fellowship research paper

Corporate Author:

JOHN F KENNEDY SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT CAMBRIDGE MA

Personal Author(s):

• Patterson, Mark S.
• Phipps, Janet E.

Report Date:

2002-04-24

Pagination or Media Count:

52.0

Abstract:

The Armys Education System is failing in the ethical and moral development of its officers and enlisted personnel. With the end of the Cold War, the well defined and more predictable military role of preparing to fight conventional wars has shifted to a role that is much more diverse and less predictable. Today, soldiers are asked to be peacekeepers, peacemakers, and contributors to humanitarian efforts around the world. The new war on terrorism and drugs is adding to the diversity of these missions. Todays complex operating environment is fraught with moral and ethical dilemmas which the American soldier is not prepared to handle. The Armys cold war approach to training and development is leaving soldiers and leaders stranded alone1 to figure out how to resolve the inescapable ethical dilemmas of todays complex world. At the same time, the Armys moral compass is beginning to waiver. In recent years, the ethical behavior of the military has been called into question. Recent ethics headlines include honor code violations at military academies, affiliations with extremist groups, trainer and trainee misconduct, and key leader scandals. Officer and enlisted separations from the Army for ethical reasons have also risen steadily over the past 10 years.

Descriptors:

• *ARMY PERSONNEL
• *ETHICS
• LEADERSHIP
• EDUCATION
• ARMY TRAINING
• ATTITUDES(PSYCHOLOGY)
• ENLISTED PERSONNEL
• CONVENTIONAL WARFARE
• MISSIONS
• COLD WAR
• OFFICER PERSONNEL
• ROLES(BEHAVIOR)

Subject Categories:

• Sociology and Law
• Personnel Management and Labor Relations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE