What is the most difficult ethical decision you were faced with in the military?

I had Corpsman who caused a negligent discharge. He was awesome medically, we needed him, and an NJP on his record probably would have ended his Career. We decided we had to do the right thing, brought him up to regimental NJP. The Colonel considered all the evidence, the Corpsman pled guilty, the Colonel found him not guilty. Sometimes faith in the system and doing the right thing pays off.

Had a Supply Sgt ship a box of classified hard drives (they didn't have anything on them, but they were controlled) via UPS from one coast to the other.

Had to report it. Potential Career ender. Potential jail time.

A week later the SSgt I worked for asked me "Did anyone ever train him?" and that "Oh..#^^ moment" hit. Called the LtCol that was doing the investigation, asked to speak to him. Went to his office, and sat down for 5 minutes, and said "Sir, I don't think we as an organization ever taught him the right way."

The Sgt was wrong. Absolutely wrong. In "theory" should have known better. but the instant it happened, it had to go up the chain, and I couldn't ask him about it. Couldn't talk to him about an open investigation. Had my SSgt not said something, he likely would have been fried. I don't know if my talking to the investigator changed anything or not, but I know he ended up with an "informal" Letter or Reprimand (gone when he left the Unit).

Reporting a long list of improprieties and retaliation following the report of a substantiated sexual assault to General Odierno direct to include evidence that confirmed these actions. The difficulty was in knowing the many things that had already occurred to me as a result of doing what was right once, and fearing the retaliation that potentially could result from taking such an abrasive action. Mind you, this was only after going through every other avenue available with little relief. At this point, the wrongs had been noted by the post commanding general, but there was no action to correct what had occurred and even worse documentation that showed where an attempt at returning me to full active duty was undermined and therefore did not happen. While this process was/is a long one, continuing now for over two years, I do not regret for one minute taking the steps I did to seek assistance. My goal has never been to ruin careers, rather it has been to ensure that those who took these actions against me are no longer afforded the authority or power to do this to someone else. I do not believe early retirement is a solution as it provides no means to remorse and thus no corrective change of ones character to ensure actions are not repeated. I have made it clear I am not in the capacity to decide punishment and seek to help others through my experience rather than to seek suffering on those who did wrong. I am not the judge and jury; it is my responsibility to provide a clear and thorough explanation of all that happened so that accountability is not misplaced and there is no mistake that this type of behavior will not be condoned or tolerated to any degree. I cannot say that I would have done anything differently, maybe sooner, but educating myself on the regulations and rigts that are afforded to a Soldier were paramount in choosing the path that has ultimately lead me towards proper adjudication of my circumstances. Many are involved and investigations continue but what was ultimately learned is that we are all leaders and even if things went wrong for us, we still have a duty to help pave the way to change for those that follow behind us. Fighting for myself motivated me, fighting for others empowered me!