1 Questionable Ethics Running head: QUESTIONABLE ETHICS ..., Exercises of Ethics

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Running head: QUESTIONABLE ETHICS

Questionable Ethics MSG Stephen Smith United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 57 Mr. Mike Artis November 16, 2006

Abstract

As leaders in today's Army someone always puts our decisions, policies, ideas, and ethics in check. Whether it is a superior or subordinate, we will and are observed and watched by all. Leaders' actions can make or break a unit's morale and the way it functions. This is a brief summary of noticed issues by members of a unit while in Iraq and the effects they had.

carried their 9mm. Two policies broken there, one of which was from them and the other that you need to have your weapon with you at all times while in theater. Some Soldiers will talk with their leaders if they feel comfortable with talking about issues such as these and then in tum leaders talk with other leaders, friends, and what not. Therefore you get the question of "why do I have to if they don't?" What is a direct supervisor to say when asked this from a subordinate? We of course would tell them to worry about what is happening up and only look down (to lower rank) and then again what if they get to that level and do the same? Have we really taught them right? What are we teaching that rank has its privileges and you don't have to abide by the things you write and put out to others? Prior to leaving the installation the COL had a BDE formation and stated to everyone that if there weren't a mission for them, these personnel would not deploy and or return to CONUS early. As commercialization of communications was under way through out Iraq less tactical equipment and personnel were in use and trucks and equipment parked in motor pools and personnel without jobs put on details. Another issue I came across while conducting Staff Assistance Visits (SAV). One of the battalions had just redeployed back to the U.S. while the rest of the BDE was getting ready to go. This battalion deployed to the southern region of Iraq about five months after the rest of the BDE. Before arriving in country the BDE knew there wasn't going to be much of a mission for them though they were to bring everyone and equipment with them. While the battalion was still sitting in Kuwait the BDE was still trying to figure out where to put them. While conducting the SAVs throughout the country I also went to see this battalion after they had set up and running for a while. Upon arriving I learned that there was even a total of one company's equipment in system and that most of the personnel were not busy doing much of anything and that of course

wondering why they were there. Just having returned from one deployment to leave again within the year it was not only the lower enlisted thinking this. With the Army reorganizing and units going away was no different for us as we knew all knew were going away as well and that the possibilities of redeploying again in a new unit was very likely as well. There were a couple of different things going through their minds other than they were going to make the best of a bad situation. Of course they were thinking they got the short end of the stick by deploying again this soon and that they were not told the truth about possibly returning early if not needed. Another was that they came over to boost the BDE numbers of personnel and equipment the BDE commander was responsible for during a deployment in order to get promoted. What to you think that did to morale within the unit? If in fact this was the case of getting promoted? Some other issues that one can see quite regularly throughout the Army are taking responsibility for your actions. Making yourself look good at the expense of others or taking credit for what they did instead of giving credit to the one deserving. These are a few examples and some of which happened directly to me and we all thought at this point in our career that you would not be in competition with anyone. When going on leave we have to give someone our work and what is going on with it so in general we usually give it to someone in charge. What happens when we give them our work on a pin drive and they have the same thing on their computer but not updated and save what they looked at or did on the wrong drive? If it was a person that cared for what he was doing for you would typically try and fix it before there was a problem but, not in this case. I returned from leave and a little chewing out while this very person was standing next to me and not saying a word for not being up to date and of course he knew what had happened and not saying a word until a few days later and only to me. What good did that do? He still looked good from the command's point of view and didn't say a word about

In closing there are a few things that leaders need to work on. We as leaders should give recognition where it is due and not take credit for it and not give the Soldier recognition just because they are of lower rank. That is telling our Soldiers they are expendable or that we really don't care as long as we move up and that is most definitely the wrong answer. Many of all different ranks are quick to shift the blame on others for their actions or decisions and not take responsibility for them. They will take on more responsibility by getting promoted or the job they are incompetent of taking and what we call riding the system. While others will profit from the lower enlisted or officers to excel and of course is seen by all and hope that they will learn from the bad and the good. All of us have had good leaders and bad leaders that we will either remember or learn what to do or not to do from. A few forget where they came from or wish not to think of how they got there but the bottom line would be to do the right thing whether we were taught that or not. Another thing to remember is, as a leader someone is always looking so never put yourself in a compromising position to give doubt at any of your Soldiers.