TC 1-05
Moral and Ethical Issues
Most religions support actions in keeping with Army values, although
beliefs advocated vary widely. Army values and such religions go
hand in hand. But if a religion advocates anything against Army
values--for example, if a religion violates the Army value of respect
by advocating harming or putting a curse on a person--such religious
acts are wrong, and soldiers are not free to practice them.
Army values bind the military community together, as soldiers hold
themselves and others accountable. Trust develops within the unit
when leaders demonstrate the Army values in leading and when
soldiers demonstrate the Army values in following and working
together. Soldier teams build cohesion and become unstoppable.
Regardless of the mission, soldier teams will either find a way or
make one. Soldiers can count on leaders and vice versa. Army values
are the foundation for the trust that makes units work. This is what
FM 22-100 means when it defines the warrior ethos as "the strong
moral character that refuses to accept failure."
Section II Ethical Problems and the Ethical Reasoning
Process
Although the Army has a standard for right and wrong (Army
values), soldiers still face ethical problems. The first kind of ethical
problem occurs when a soldier knows the right thing to do but is
tempted to do otherwise.
Various motivations add to the difficulty of doing the right thing in
spite of temptation. Shallow motivation focuses on avoidance of pain
and punishment. This kind of motivation does the right thing because
someone is looking. Deeper motivation seeks to take care of one's
buddy. Still deeper motivation tries to take care of the unit as a
E-3
10 May 2005
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