An Ethical Dilemma within the Army Essays

People sense same ethical dilemmas differently, and even those with ethical sensitivity may feel or understand the dilemma in different ways. For example, some may think reporting misconduct to supervisors outside the chain of command is an unethical act because it is disrespectful to the immediate superior. Some, however, believe that such an individual act, as long as benefiting the general welfare of the group, is not in violation of a code of ethics (Fang, M., 2006). It is important to understand an ethical dilemma before the actual decision-making process begins.

When and under what conditions can values and norms become so strong that they cause employees to act in unethical ways?

From my previous experience in the military, many military leaders with the authority make a certain decision because the military culture does not allow all soldiers to make a decision that affects the lives of the soldiers. Previously, I authorized one of my soldier to take off early because he has to prepare for his language proficiency test on the following day; however, my supervisor called him back because I did not receive commander’s approval. He explained to me that I do not have the authority to make decision to release him early. My expectation has been violated because I believed that I have the decision-making power as a section chief at that time. My supervisor explained to that the commander is ultimately responsible for the soldier’s well-being and he will not take any chance, especially during work

Also, you should always use The Seven Army Values in your daily life. Doing so will make your career in the Army a lot more successful than it would without The Seven Army Values. 1) Loyalty, bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. constitution, the Army, and other soldiers. Be loyal to the nation and its heritage. 2) Duty, fulfill your obligations. Accept responsibility for your own actions and those entrusted to your care. Find opportunities to improve oneself for the good of the group. 3) Respect, rely upon the golden rule. How we consider others reflects upon each of us, both personally and as a professional organization. 4) Selfless Service, put the welfare of the nation, the Army, and your subordinates before your own. Selfless service leads to organizational teamwork and encompasses

Recommendation to correct this issue would be to publish clear guidance for Commanders at all levels by defining what “best qualified” means or to repeal the tri-signed memo. Furthermore, providing clarity to the Commanders would remove the subjectivity from what “best qualified” means for the commanders who decide a Soldier 's career is what our Soldiers deserve that have deployed several times to protect the freedoms we all have come to enjoy. The tri-signed memo mentions, Commanders will evaluate Soldiers, according to the “whole Soldier” concept. According to (Army Regulation, AR 601-280, 2011) this includes recent or repetitive punishment, low line or aptitude scores, low evaluation reports, slow rank progression, potential for continued service for use in a combination or by themselves. Defining what “best qualified” translates to or just following regulatory guidance Commanders would remove the question and the subjectivity from potentially this life-altering event of deciding who stays and who goes. After recognizing, the ethical conflict, leaders could evaluate their options by looking through the three ethical lenses. Commanders can utilize the ethical lenses of rule-based, virtue-based, and outcome-based to get multiple perspectives to come to a well-informed decision.

The biggest dilemma that we as humans face in the work place is what we as individuals see as personal values may not be the same values that everyone else holds. We are each our own individual and we have all been raised in different cultures with different values. We all come together within the work place to not just do a job, but to try and work together with people that are different from ourselves. When we find ourselves in a dilemma that goes against our ethics, one has to ask themselves, “how does this affect my values, and does it affect our values so much that we need to report it to a higher authority”. “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all” (Quotes About Ethics, 2012).  If one see something that goes against their personal values and does nothing about it than they need to reevaluate their values. If it is something important to them, than they will do everything within their power to stop whatever they see is wrong.

I wish to stress that I see no moral difference between the two circumstances, as both are limitations that are beyond the soldier’s physical

Becoming familiar with the appropriate course to choose when involved with ethical decision-making can be frustrating at times; simply because each situation warrants a specific course of action than the other or one before. In any case, group leaders must be ready to execute hard choices when such

This exercise identified how individuals prioritize values when making ethical decisions. During this exercise I was able to understand my personal values in relation to the values of other associated with my decisions. I was able to understand my blind spot and how they impact others when making decisions. For example, I learned that sometimes I fail to be accountable to those who are depending on me. Also, I am satisfied with my own needs and become complacent with leaving problems unresolved in the long-term and everyone else to fend for themselves. I also run the risk of developing unrealistic role expectations. I tend to rely too much on the virtues associated with a particular role, forgetting that individuals are fallible regardless of their role. By understanding what values are most important to me and what values are most important to the other parties involved in an ethical situation, I can minimize unnecessary conflict, make better ethical decisions, and live my values with confidence and

Ethics is a hard concept. There are numerous ideas of ethical reasoning to follow. However, every situation is different and require a different reasoning approach in order to effectively justify. As a future Naval Officer, I will continue to learn everyday either through the knowledge of someone that have gone before me, or my own experience in the numerous challenges ahead of me. Nevertheless, in order to effectively lead I must remember the main questions and be able to effectively answer it. What is right? and How do you decide? If I can continue to effectively answer these questions without doubts and worries in me, I believe that it will be worth sacrificing for. Not all ethical dilemmas are created equal, I will have to make unpopular

Balance and choice of ethical thinking becomes a guide when making choices for discarding bad behavior and favor in good ones (Nevarez and Penrose, 2013). When considering making ethical decisions, what would a reasonable person do in that situstion should come to mind. Individuals work on projects closely together, the core values of the group are taken over. Often in groups individuals tend to compromise values that are held by the group. Because theses values are compromised, rules of management should be used to organize in ethical decision making. In organizational success, vital measures are increased and standards are looked upon when viewed in order to make decisions within the group.

The textbook entitled “Ethical dilemmas and decisions “describes an ethical dilemma as “a situation in which it is difficult to make a decision, either because the right course of action is not clear or the right course of action carries some negative consequences” (Pollack, 2012). The following paper will explore an ethical dilemma that I was faced with while working as a police constable, within a uniform capacity for the Peel Regional Police.

Ethics is the spirit standard of a person. It controls how we behave towards what is good and bad, great and terrible, and shapes our ethical obligations and commitments. When we get to be pioneers, we expect the advantages of administration yet we likewise grasp the moral weights it conveys (Johnson, 2000). The sample utilized for this separate task would be the US military in the torment Scandal, an article via Mail and Guardian, (2004)

Very often we get involved in situations where our values are the only weapons we have to make the right decisions. From the five sources of Ethical standards I learned that in those situations is better follow a simple method to before making a decision: Recognize the ethical issue, get the facts, and evaluate alternative actions. This will give us a higher probability of producing the most good and less harm, doing the right thing, being just, or to reflect our best virtues.

Most organizations face ethical dilemmas that are situations in which there is a choice to be made between two options, neither of which resolves the situation in an ethically acceptable manner. In some cases, societal and personal ethical guidelines can provide dissatisfactory outcome for the chooser. Ethical dilemmas consider that the chooser will abide by societal norms, such as codes of law or policies given, in order to make the choice ethically impossible.