Preparing the Strategic Sergeant for War in a Flat World: Challenges in the Application of Ethics and the Rules of Engagement (ROE) in Joint/Multinational/Multicultural Operations; Master's thesis

摘要

The strategic impact of decisions made, and actions taken, by junior leaders in Iraq and Afghanistan are well documented. In light of these impacts senior leaders continue to struggle with strategic communications and training required to insure Soldiers on today's battlefield share a common set of values and understand how to apply them in combat. Junior leaders are faced with increasing conflict between the moral standards of multi-cultural operations and a litany of guidance that is not easy to assimilate or understand. The answer to the research question 'Does the US Military insure the Strategic Sergeant' is prepared to make value based ethical and moral decisions in a joint, multi-national and multi-cultural environment. is a resounding 'somewhat.' The research documented in this thesis clearly shows the military has a system and a keen interest in improving how they train 'Strategic Sergeants' to correctly determine what they should do as well as what they can do in combat. In this light, leaders throughout the Department of Defense must continue to improve the clarity of the Laws of War, the regulations that govern military actions in combat, and the training provided to the 'Strategic Sergeant' who faces the ambiguity of combat in front of a global audience.