Posted on Feb 6, 2014
Ethical lapses in the military... is this a growing issue?
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Certification cheating scandals, sexual misconduct, refer-a-buddy program abuse, toxic leaders; is the military facing a crisis of ethics within our ranks? These embarassing stories keep appearing in the media these days. Typically military leaders have ranked very high among some of the most trusted professions, holding company with nurses and teachers at the top of trusted ethical professions. If that is the case, why are we seeing and hearing about so many lapses in ethical judgement these days? We are a Profession of Arms, grounded in values of trust, honor, and integrity! Why are we seeing so many leaders embarassing the service?
Ethics
Values
Professionalism
Honor
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 39
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I think this goes beyond the military, it has more to do with the "fog of power" or the power of leadership. When they surveyed CEO of large companies, top political figures, top generals, and those that are very successful, in their minds they tend to think they can get what they want. So in essence the rules apply but not to themselves.<div><br></div><div>There was an interesting article on this recently after the Petraeus incident. John Edwards, Spitzer, Weiner, etc. all thought they could get away with it because before they probably did. I think as their power and esteem grow, their ego grows as well and you think you can be above the law. </div><div><br></div><div>Of course that is incorrect and while we are human and make mistakes, we should always ground ourselves. We should have accountability partners or teams to make sure we keep ourselves in check.</div><div><br></div><div>I think overall the issue is that we have more people, more money and power than we have ever had in history, so it comes with the territory with human nature. So we have to be more vigilant. </div>
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CPT (Join to see)
Sir, interesting reference to Petraeus. Out of all the recent military scandals, I think he did a good job owning up to it. He admitted he was wrong, apologized and resigned. He probably did think he could get away with it for a while, but when it came time to face the music, I think he did the right thing. You are right that we are all human and we make mistakes, but if we own up to them and are willing to hold ourselves accountable, I think you will find that mistakes can often be forgiven. Just my opinion.
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SSG (Join to see)
Gen Petraeus was the biggest let down for me. He was like a God in the military and I saw him becoming president one day. Now I no longer trust ANYONE in a leadership position because no one in my opinion can hold a candle to him professionally yet he acted out behind closed doors. Sidenote: I'd still vote for him
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SPC (Join to see)
I agree, I felt Gen. Petraeus was the best of the best until he morally let down a lot of people. I just wonder how much is true and how much isn't? A lot of our elected politicians seem to make laws that they feel do not apply to them . It seems to be a growing epidemic in the last number of years and I , for one, am really tired of it.
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FN Durwyn Mason
I think when one has power and control over other's they will tend to forget that they themselves were once at the bottom of the ladder and forget how the ones beneath them feel and the troubles they go thru on a daily basis.I think in the military and civilian world officer's and Ceo's need to talk and look at their people from the other side now and then to keep a perspective on the order's and task they give out.Just my opinion here.
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MAJ Raúl Rovira
SGT Charles Vernier, from my foxhole I can only define it this way. Some leaders become intoxicated by power. It can sometimes be like an addiction as they love it, they want it, and they dont want to let it go.
I do echo what FN Durwyn Mason said about leaders forgetting what it is to be at the bottom of the ladder. Well said.
I do echo what FN Durwyn Mason said about leaders forgetting what it is to be at the bottom of the ladder. Well said.
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SN Sheila West
Sad part is to get into a position of any type of power you have to play by the corrupt rules and games played by those already in power or you get black balled as a trouble maker and squashed like a bug as fast as possible.
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MAJ Raúl Rovira
SN Sheila West, that is quite true. I'm sure many have experienced this. It is a dirty world after all.
There has to be a certain balance of playing by the hidden rules without violating ones personal integrity and principles. It involves a personal tolerance level of what is the good, the bad, and the ugly... and how we emotionally handle it.
There has to be a certain balance of playing by the hidden rules without violating ones personal integrity and principles. It involves a personal tolerance level of what is the good, the bad, and the ugly... and how we emotionally handle it.
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On an additional note, the stories that usually make the headlines only make it there due to the rank of the offenders. You never hear about sex/cheating scandals involving an E-2, nobody wants to read that. But let a O-7 send a provocative text to somebody and all of a sudden it's national news. I agree with MAJ Chang, it's not just us. And I don't think it's an issue within our ranks, it's a few isolated incidents that get blown up by the media
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CPT (Join to see)
Good point SFC Deason. I think the trust and responsibility granted to an O-7 makes ethical lapses a little more significant than those of an E-2. I once had an E-1 accused of rape that never made headlines. I also remember an O-7 fail to properly investigate a sexual harassment case, get relieved, and see his name and picture in the news. Is it just because we expect more of our senior leaders or is it really just because the media loves a scandal?
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SSG (Join to see)
It's like that exchange in Full Metal Jacket between Joker and LT. Lockhart about the outcome of an engagement..
"Joker, I've told you we run two basic
stories here. Grunts who give half their pay to
buy g**ks toothbrushes and deodorants - Winning Of
Hearts and Minds. Okay? And combat action which
result in a kill - Winning the War. I don't ask
much of you people but I do expect you to adhere
to my editorial policy."
"You must have seen blood trails, drag
marks?"
"It was raining, sir."
"Okay, well that's why God passed the law of
probability." He tosses the pages to Joker.
"Re-write it and give it a happy ending. One
killed. Make it a sapper. Or an officer.
Which?"
"Whatever you say," Joker says.
"Grunts like reading about dead officers."
"Joker, I've told you we run two basic
stories here. Grunts who give half their pay to
buy g**ks toothbrushes and deodorants - Winning Of
Hearts and Minds. Okay? And combat action which
result in a kill - Winning the War. I don't ask
much of you people but I do expect you to adhere
to my editorial policy."
"You must have seen blood trails, drag
marks?"
"It was raining, sir."
"Okay, well that's why God passed the law of
probability." He tosses the pages to Joker.
"Re-write it and give it a happy ending. One
killed. Make it a sapper. Or an officer.
Which?"
"Whatever you say," Joker says.
"Grunts like reading about dead officers."
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