Reflective Essay: The Role Of Ethics In The Military

Ethics is the standard that are set by a person or organizations based from their beliefs, the values they hold, moral rules they have that helps them make the right or wrong decision, how to act when confronted with a moral dilemma. Setting an ethical standard and a set of rules is critical to having healthy employees, customers, and ultimately a healthy organization.
Throughout the years, I have seen the nation’s values, and beliefs change. When I first joined the military, it was not ok to be a gay or lesbian Soldier. Then the military’s culture was challenged, and the rules changed to “don’t ask, don’t tell,” which means, I will not ask you, and you will not tell me, or if you do, we will have to take action. Which meant a military

discharge. Later society’s view relaxed on the issue at hand, and the law was passed, allowing gay and lesbians in the military. Does that mean it was unethical? It might be against my religious belief, but it does not mean it was unethical. Just the opposite, if we did discriminate against a Soldier because they are gay or lesbian, then it would be going against our equal opportunity regulations and military standards the organization has set. Further, the military has instilled in us the seven Army Values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage. Showing discrimination to others based on their sexual preference, would be to violate at least one of the Army Values, for example “Loyalty to the unit, and our fellow Soldiers.”
How has this affected the moral and welfare of our Soldiers?

Some believed the lift of “don’t ask don’t tell,” would cause a disruption throughout the military. In my experience, the well-being of our Soldiers is healthier. During promotion ceremony’s and retirements, where spouses are recognized for their support, I have seen officers in their ceremony say that they can finally share this experience with his or her spouse. Having had my wife at my last promotion ceremony, I could not imagine not being able to share that event with her, knowing the many sacrifices we went through. For Soldier who are not gay or lesbian, the reactions have been nonexistent in my organization. You would not have known that we had a change in regulations.
The military has ingrained a set of standard by setting the seven Army values, Equal Opportunity programs, and Army regulations that govern how we act during ethical dilemmas. These programs and beliefs are especially important because each Soldier comes from a different background and environment, and cannot afford to have disruptions in workplace that can put our Soldiers in the way of harm. In order to maintain a healthy environment we need to keep defining and promoting an ethical

culture.