Battlefield ethics training: Integrating ethical scenarios in high-intensity military field exercises

Abstract

There is growing evidence that modern missions have added stresses and ethical complexities not seen in previous military operations and that there are links between battlefield stressors and ethical lapses. Military ethicists have concluded that the ethical challenges of modern missions are not well addressed by current military ethics educational programs. Integrating the extant research in the area, we propose that scenario-based operational ethics training in high-intensity military field training settings may be an important adjunct to traditional military ethics education and training.We make the case as towhy this approach will enhance ethical operational preparation for soldiers, supporting their psychological well-being as well as mission effectiveness.