What is the most difficult ethical decision you were faced with in the military?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 21:54:24 -0400

Confession time - if you dare. What was the most difficult ethical decision you were ever faced with in the military? Why was it difficult? How did you decide what to do? What did you decide to do? If you followed through , what was the outcome? How would you do things differently a second time ? Or would you do just what you chose to do the first time ?

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 26 at 2015 10:08 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 22:08:14 -0400

I had Corpsman who caused a negligent discharge. He was awesome medically, we needed him, and an NJP on his record probably would have ended his Career. We decided we had to do the right thing, brought him up to regimental NJP. The Colonel considered all the evidence, the Corpsman pled guilty, the Colonel found him not guilty. Sometimes faith in the system and doing the right thing pays off.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 26 at 2015 10:11 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 22:11:12 -0400

I had a female E-7 who probably should have been MED Boarded and non deployable, but she asked for a meeting with me to discuss this matter with me. She was very hard working and had a Masters Degree. She served 18 years and told me (my words) that she ran a marathon and wanted to hit the finish line. In situations like this I look at balancing what is best for the soldier vs. what is best for the Army. My 1SG and I found a non deployable slot so she can finish out.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 26 at 2015 10:13 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 22:13:54 -0400

Had a Supply Sgt ship a box of classified hard drives (they didn't have anything on them, but they were controlled) via UPS from one coast to the other.

Had to report it. Potential Career ender. Potential jail time.

A week later the SSgt I worked for asked me "Did anyone ever train him?" and that "Oh..#^^ moment" hit. Called the LtCol that was doing the investigation, asked to speak to him. Went to his office, and sat down for 5 minutes, and said "Sir, I don't think we as an organization ever taught him the right way."

The Sgt was wrong. Absolutely wrong. In "theory" should have known better. but the instant it happened, it had to go up the chain, and I couldn't ask him about it. Couldn't talk to him about an open investigation. Had my SSgt not said something, he likely would have been fried. I don't know if my talking to the investigator changed anything or not, but I know he ended up with an "informal" Letter or Reprimand (gone when he left the Unit).

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2015 10:37 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 22:37:21 -0400

In late March of 2008 I was deployed to Baghdad, and those of you who were in the area and south should be familiar with the "Mahdi Army Revolt" (see attached link for a short synopsis if unfamiliar) that took place during that time. In my little corner of the eastern side of the city bordering Sadr City we went from a typical if above average violent counter insurgency mission to engaging in high intensity combat operations literally overnight. We're talking things straight out of the movie Black Hawk Down. Burning road blocks and a complete suspension of normal civilian activity. Everyone not an active combatant was either hunkered down in their homes waiting for the fighting to subside or had left the city the moment Muqtada al-Sadr called for "civil unrest."

I was a line medic for an infantry platoon during this time and after a couple days of near constant combat operations my exhausted and enraged PSG (and I presume PL) made the call. He gave the order to shoot on sight any military age male regardless of any ROE. I was thankfully never placed in a position where I had to make a choice as to whether or not to act on that order, but if I am to be honest with myself knowing my mindset at the time I likely would have. This honest self reflection shames me.

Peace Companies - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Peace Companies (Arabic: سرايا السلام, transcript. Sraeeaa Aalsalaam, translit. Saraya al-Salaam) frequently mistranslated Peace Brigades in US media, are an Iraqi armed group linked to Iraq's Shia community and are a revival of the Mahdi Army (JAM; جيش المهدي Jaish al-Mahdī),[7][8] created by the Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in June 2003 and disbanded in 2008.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2015 10:48 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 22:48:15 -0400

Reporting a long list of improprieties and retaliation following the report of a substantiated sexual assault to General Odierno direct to include evidence that confirmed these actions. The difficulty was in knowing the many things that had already occurred to me as a result of doing what was right once, and fearing the retaliation that potentially could result from taking such an abrasive action. Mind you, this was only after going through every other avenue available with little relief. At this point, the wrongs had been noted by the post commanding general, but there was no action to correct what had occurred and even worse documentation that showed where an attempt at returning me to full active duty was undermined and therefore did not happen. While this process was/is a long one, continuing now for over two years, I do not regret for one minute taking the steps I did to seek assistance. My goal has never been to ruin careers, rather it has been to ensure that those who took these actions against me are no longer afforded the authority or power to do this to someone else. I do not believe early retirement is a solution as it provides no means to remorse and thus no corrective change of ones character to ensure actions are not repeated. I have made it clear I am not in the capacity to decide punishment and seek to help others through my experience rather than to seek suffering on those who did wrong. I am not the judge and jury; it is my responsibility to provide a clear and thorough explanation of all that happened so that accountability is not misplaced and there is no mistake that this type of behavior will not be condoned or tolerated to any degree. I cannot say that I would have done anything differently, maybe sooner, but educating myself on the regulations and rigts that are afforded to a Soldier were paramount in choosing the path that has ultimately lead me towards proper adjudication of my circumstances. Many are involved and investigations continue but what was ultimately learned is that we are all leaders and even if things went wrong for us, we still have a duty to help pave the way to change for those that follow behind us. Fighting for myself motivated me, fighting for others empowered me!