| "If the theory of war did no more than remind us of | | | | conduct. It is the very nature of military leadership to |
| these [moral] elements, demonstrating the need to | | | | promote virtuous behavior for themselves and those |
| reckon with and give full value to moral qualities, it | | | | who follow rather than passively follow the crowd |
| would expand its horizon, and simply by establishing | | | | that is liberalizing its values to accommodate |
| this point of view would condemn in advance anyone | | | | contemporary social trends. |
| who sought to base an analysis on material factors | | | | The professional military leader is stuck in the middle |
| alone." | | | | of this conflict between traditional and contemporary |
| --Carl Von Clausewitz | | | | values, on one hand being a member of a dynamic |
| On War | | | | society, and on the other hand called to lead in an |
| The US military has a responsibility to itself and | | | | establishment steadfast on traditional moral principles. |
| society to set and adhere to high moral standards. | | | | But you may have noticed that people with military |
| This requires the kind of moral courage that is critical | | | | experience have certain intangible qualities. Things like |
| to successful leadership. It also models a healthy | | | | self-confidence, pride and a sense of purpose. The |
| value system for a society that may be in danger | | | | military instills these qualities in enlistees because it |
| due to its own abandonment of such traditional | | | | makes them good people. By embodying such core |
| values. The military value system is based almost | | | | values as Honor, Courage and Commitment; men and |
| entirely on the laws that govern it, the Uniform Code | | | | women build character and confidence, develop |
| of Military Justice (UCMJ). The UCMJ applies to all | | | | strong team skills, and learn to accept responsibility |
| branches of the military including the Coast Guard. | | | | and accountability for personal actions. In the Navy, |
| Most of the issues covered in the UCMJ include: | | | | for instance, the same bedrock principles or core |
| bringing cases to military courts, the different types | | | | values of honor, courage, and commitment have |
| of court-martial, treatment and apprehension of | | | | carried on to today since the naval service began |
| prisoners, and the trial process. Additionally, rules and | | | | during the American Revolution. |
| regulations govern military behavior and standards of | | | | |