Ethical Responsibility

When we are having difficulty in defining our actions as right or wrong, that is an ethical dilemma. Ethical dilemmas happen when individuals do not understand or ignore where their ethical responsibility lies. Located in the dictionary between erratic and evil, ethics is a topic that easy to teach, but not always enforced. Although ethical responsibility is required for all Soldiers and leaders, it is usually erratic when confronted by doubt and evil when it is forsaken or not enforced. It is my experience that when leaders or Soldiers are in positions for long periods of time; positive ethical behavior becomes a challenge. It is not that the individual has become complacent in his job or abilities; it is that he has established friendships or professional relationships that may bring his ethical values into conflict with his duties, unless he understands exactly where his ethical responsibilities are and enforces them.