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Saturday, November 21, 2009

What Would You Do?

One way MOAA attempts to fulfill our goal of being the professional association of choice for all military officers and their families is by promoting enduring values of military professionals, including the highest ethical standards.

Each month, this page will feature a different ethics case study provided by Capt. Rick Rubel, USN-Ret., distinguished Professor of Ethics at the U.S. Naval Academy. With each case study, Rubel will provide suggested questions, and readers will be able to discuss and comment. Whether you are currently serving, in a second career, or retired, there will be something here that makes you think. Unlike rules of engagement or standards of conduct, remember there is not necessarily a right answer to an ethical dilemma.

We hope you find this series interesting, but more important, we hope to promote discussion and thinking about ethical challenges facing people in uniform, whether in combat or in the normal course of duty.

What Would You Do? — Leave No One Behind

By Capt. Rick Rubel, USN-Ret. — July 1, 2008
Many military organizations adhere the code, “Leave no one behind.” This phrase strengthens the fighting spirit and morale of a unit — but it also places a heavy moral burden on a commanding officer.

What Would You Do? — Life or Death: The Marcus Luttrell Story of “The Lone Survivor”

By Capt. Rick Rubel, USN-Ret. - May 1, 2008
One of the most difficult decisions in military ethics is the determination of the value of the lives of your own troops compared with the value of the life of an innocent non-combatant.

Read the author's analysis and tell us what you think.