TRADOC Pam 525-3-7-01 - TRADOC - U.S. Army

TRADOC Pam 525-3-7-01Chapter 3The Moral Component—Developing Soldiers of Character for the Army andNation3-1. IntroductionOf all the components of the human dimension, perhaps the most difficult to describe is themoral component. It is arguably the most important. It is rooted in character and from charactercomes behavior. Military character and a professional ethic form the bond of trust between theArmy and the Nation. This bond when broken or distorted can and has had catastrophicconsequences to the Nation. Incidents like My Lai and Abu Ghraib reveal poor characterdevelopment in those who perpetrate such heinous actions and the leadership that fails to reportor attempts to cover up the actions. These actions on both parts bring into question the quality ofthe profession, with grave impact on the Nation’s reputation.This chapter examines constituent elements of the moral component: The warrior spirit, itsmoral and ethical foundations, and socio-cultural awareness. This examination describes howthis component relates to the physical and cognitive components and emphasizes the requirementfor balance between all three to develop well-rounded holistically fit Soldiers for the futureModular Force. It aims squarely at preventing future military scandal, but more realistically, attaking those measures that will develop, reinforce, and sustain the bond of trust between theArmy and the Nation.The words ethic, and moral are not interchangeable in a military context. Both treat ideasand concepts of right and wrong, but they derive from different sources. The military ethic, forexample, is a set of standards unique to the institution, however shared across other elements ofsociety. Moral on the other hand—specifically moral behavior—derives from broader sources.What one human being owes to another and how the Army inculcates and reinforces thiscommitment is part of the career-long development process.FM 1 discusses the profession of arms and what it means to be a professional Soldier. Itestablishes as guiding values the Soldier’s Creed, the warrior ethos, and the Army values.Further, it admonishes Soldiers to live by those codes. While it is a chargeable offense to actoutside the dictates of the laws mentioned above, the internalization of these codes establishes thesoundness of Soldiers’ characters enabling them to operate as trusted, free agents.Regardless of how changes in technology or the strategic environment present new anddifferent challenges to the Army, one enduring legacy remains; within the Army profession, onlymen and women of strong character can fulfill the obligations of service to the Nation and tofellow Soldiers. 55 Sound character reflects the internalization of a set of fundamental beliefs andvalues that guide a person through life. FM 1 outlines the values that the Army believes areessential to the professional performance of duty under the widely varying, but usually difficultconditions of military service. Character built on values and beliefs serves as a moral compassthat helps individuals make sound moral judgments in the midst of chaos, ambiguity, fear, andviolence. The oft-cited “strategic corporal” 56 whose actions can easily garner good or badinternational attention magnifies this emphasis on character.53