Posted on May 4, 2016
Lying to Ourselves: The Demise of Military Integrity - War on the Rocks
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Is Integrity still an ethical choice in today's military?
Lying to Ourselves: The Demise of Military Integrity - War on the Rocks
Posted from warontherocks.com
Leadership
Ethics
Integrity
Morals
Posted >1 y ago
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wow that's an interesting question. Can be asked for the population as a whole. Im afraid integrity is dying in America. I mean take a look at the people running for office. Think they can even spell the word much less know what it means?
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Sgt Joe LaBranche
Oh who right you are, PO2 Mark Saffell! Politicians especially have no clue what integrity is. Fortunately the majority of our population know that politicians are unethical by nature. However, in the military if your leadership lacks integrity, your troop will lack trust and feel abandoned or betrayed, which makes it extremely difficult for them to follow you in battle. I must know that my leaders have my best interest at heart and that I will never be lied to or led into a dangerous situation without the true facts.
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CPO (Join to see)
There was a line in the movie the "Patriot" It went like this "How you serve me is a reflection of me!" This holds truth. We reflect the values of those we serve, we are the representation of America. Sadly there are fewer and fewer people with integrity in America. I think the Military (All Branches) are the last bastion of Honor and integrity. Yes we have those toxic people and those with no code but we for the most part encourage them to go elsewhere.
This article brings up some very good points and I would surmise them as (to much paperwork) Lets face it how many reports are really required? How many times must you do the same BS training you have done every 6 months for X years? How many times must you respond to the same email forwarded by 10 of 15 people wanting to know if you have seen it. Its like the move Office Space with heavy artillery. Have you seen the new TPS cover sheet for your ammo usage? All of these metrics are then skewed by people in Washington to make a "fact" to justify what ever there point of view is. To much PC to much paperwork.
This article brings up some very good points and I would surmise them as (to much paperwork) Lets face it how many reports are really required? How many times must you do the same BS training you have done every 6 months for X years? How many times must you respond to the same email forwarded by 10 of 15 people wanting to know if you have seen it. Its like the move Office Space with heavy artillery. Have you seen the new TPS cover sheet for your ammo usage? All of these metrics are then skewed by people in Washington to make a "fact" to justify what ever there point of view is. To much PC to much paperwork.
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I hate to say it, but the article isn't highlighting anything nothing new.
As requirements increase and capabilities remain constant, sooner or later "someone" will end up "pencil whipping" something. Whether it be a report, an acknowledgement, or whatever.
Overburdening subordinates creates Ethical Dilemmas through conflict with philosophy of Mission Accomplishment. Not every Mission can be reasonably be accomplished. Sooner or later there will be a lack of resources. Something has to give. Unfortunately we as a culture have placed one value above the other.
We'd rather "avoid" looking at the resource issue entirely and its corresponding ethical and integrity implications than correct it.
A couple weeks back it was noted that the MANDATED training exceeded the AVAILABLE time in the training schedule. Therefore there must be a systemic failure with Integrity. It is functionally impossible to create more time. But how do you push back against Legal Requirements, without being labeled as a proverbial "turd in the punchbowl" and sacrificing your career in the process? Systemic pressures are greater than any individual cog who will get spit out.
As requirements increase and capabilities remain constant, sooner or later "someone" will end up "pencil whipping" something. Whether it be a report, an acknowledgement, or whatever.
Overburdening subordinates creates Ethical Dilemmas through conflict with philosophy of Mission Accomplishment. Not every Mission can be reasonably be accomplished. Sooner or later there will be a lack of resources. Something has to give. Unfortunately we as a culture have placed one value above the other.
We'd rather "avoid" looking at the resource issue entirely and its corresponding ethical and integrity implications than correct it.
A couple weeks back it was noted that the MANDATED training exceeded the AVAILABLE time in the training schedule. Therefore there must be a systemic failure with Integrity. It is functionally impossible to create more time. But how do you push back against Legal Requirements, without being labeled as a proverbial "turd in the punchbowl" and sacrificing your career in the process? Systemic pressures are greater than any individual cog who will get spit out.
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To be honest I think integrity has been a choice of military service people since ancient days which is why we have turncoats, traitors. and double agents Sgt Joe LaBranche
However traitors, turncoats and double agents generally made an UNETHICAL choice and lived or died with the consequences.
Integrity is an essential part of military service which by its nature should be selfless and devoted to ideals. When individual service members make unethical decisions it has ramifications on the chain of command and disciple and order throughout the ranks.
I hope and pray that unethical behavior will never be lifted up as a badge of honor by the military and that integrity will be prized, aspired to, and honored and emulated throughout the ranks.
However traitors, turncoats and double agents generally made an UNETHICAL choice and lived or died with the consequences.
Integrity is an essential part of military service which by its nature should be selfless and devoted to ideals. When individual service members make unethical decisions it has ramifications on the chain of command and disciple and order throughout the ranks.
I hope and pray that unethical behavior will never be lifted up as a badge of honor by the military and that integrity will be prized, aspired to, and honored and emulated throughout the ranks.
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