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

TRADOC Pam 525-3-7-01identity as virtuous warriors who experience personal disappointment at failure as part of thewider process of self-actualization addressed earlier.Moral soundness is the essence of integrity. It is defined here as wholeness, especiallyhonesty. Moral soundness is also a developed sense of individual responsibility for one’s actionsand inactions, a dedication to others before self, an inspired or deeply held warrior’s ethos, a highsense of self-discipline, and a personal propensity to do what is required or to refrain from doingthe forbidden, in all circumstances, regardless of personal cost. It requires the capability formoral sensitivity and reasoning. Courageous, competent, morally sound Soldiers form cohesiveand competent units.Building Morally Sound Soldiers—a Framework for Moral Development 82Character and moral soundness requires development of moral reasoning abilities with theinstinct and fortitude for moral action. The Army expects and requires moral reasoningconsistent with the moral principles that shape the American professional military ethic. Theseprinciples include the moral imperative to be competent in conducting operations, and faithful inobservance of the laws of war and responsibilities to the values of American society. 83 Themoral landscape in future full spectrum operations may be more challenging when battlingasymmetric enemies unconstrained by accepted convention. While there are obviously no setformulas, moral reasoning will involve the process ofrecognition, judgment, intention, and behavior. Soldiers For war is the hardest place: ifmust be able to recognize the moral implications in a given comprehensive and consistentsituation, reason through the situation to form a moral moral judgments are possiblejudgment, develop the intent to act, and finally, summon the there, they are possiblecourage and conviction to carry through with the intended everywhere.behavior. A breakdown or inability to carry through withMichael WalzerJust and Unjust Warsany one of these steps can result in inaction or the wrongaction.The ability to interpret and learn from moral experiences is essential to prepare for thecomplexity of the future operating environment. Through training, education and lifeexperiences, Soldiers broaden their understanding of moral issues, learn to process, and expandtheir knowledge when facing situations that contain new and complex moral issues or dilemmas.Exposure to different moral conflicts helps improve moral reasoning by providing opposingviews and arguments that challenge core beliefs and basic assumptions.Leaders may also improve moral development of their subordinates by establishing a climatethat requires and supports moral behavior. By deliberately integrating ambiguous moralsituations into training, the Army can help Soldiers to develop their understanding of moralissues. Leaders also serve as moral exemplars by their conduct and assist Soldiers to make senseof the moral issues they encounter and thereby improve their moral decisionmaking skills.Simply reasoning through complex moral dilemmas is insufficient by itself. Soldiers musttake action. This requires development of the sense of individual responsibility and themotivation to do the right thing, always. This means taking personal responsibility not only for69