Ethics Training and Development in the Military

Abstract

Thisworkshopwas attended by representatives fromthe armed forces andmilitary academies of ten countries, as well as philosophers, political scientists, and historians.3 Theworkshop sought to determinewhat ethics training and development programs are in existence; their theoretical underpinnings; the effect of cultural and national differences on content; whether such programs are best run by military officers, chaplains, lawyers, or academic philosophers; and if it is feasible to develop common principles and approaches for the armed forces of participating countries. In a paper about the system of ethics training at the US Military Academy atWest Point, Lieutenant Colonel JeffreyWilson notes the opinion expressed by the late General Maxwell Taylor, who saw no moral problems in serving with a combat ready officer who is 'loyal to his superiors and his profession but disloyal to his wife,' or keep[s] physically fit but has 'General Grant'sweakness for strong drink.'For Taylor, a good soldier, even a good officer, could be a bad man.