Have you noticed your morals, ethics and standards changing the longer you stay in the military?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 22:28:31 -0500

I'm curious feom those who care to answer....have they became better or gotten worse? If you can give examples...I think personally mine have all improved. I'm a better person for it. I remember going back home after my first deployment and a group of guys I ran with all disappeared. They were all incarcerated for check fraud and drug dealing, makes me wonder how different my life would of been had I enlisted in the 1stCivDiv? What about you?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 10:33 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 22:33:00 -0500

Sure you do because wisdom usually begins after your first experiences/

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2014 10:36 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 22:36:18 -0500

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member, I think moral standards and the entire concept of right and wrong are generally sliding downward in our society. What 30 or 40 years ago was a scandal is laughed at today. I think we are in a period of moral decline.

Response by SSG Leonard J W. made Dec 1 at 2014 12:27 AM

SSG Leonard J W. — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 00:27:34 -0500

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member, I agree with you 300%. My morals, ethics, and standards have all greatly improved since first joining the military. And I'm 500% sure that I would be a completely different person had I taken a different path.

Believe it or not, my morals, ethics, and standards were first planted during my JROTC days in high school. My Army Instructors were very proficient and observant, and if one was a cadet that cared about good order and discipline, then one was a cadet that did very well. I had a very similar experience in Mississippi State University's Army ROTC program. The Military Science professors (Active Duty Army NCOs and Officers) were stellar examples of the military code of conduct, and the Cadet Corps benefited greatly from their input and expertise.

I have an additional duty as an Army Profession and Ethics Trainer. Training Soldiers about stewardship of our profession and honorable service is rewarding to me. I cannot even dream of doing some of the illegal things that I did years ago. My heart and mind are sure of right and wrong in 99% of cases - I have life experiences and just under 13 years of military service to thank for that. The ability to pass the wisdom on to our future military leaders is an honor.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Dec 1 at 2014 4:06 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 16:06:19 -0500

It is an issue with society and American culture. We start with a lower bar when it comes to recruits. Integrity is something that needs to be learned, which is why most of us get better at it as we go.
The fact we dropped the bar even further to make numbers during the last 12 years shows. The Officers ans Seniors that never would have made rank pre-Iraq that have decimated commands with toxic leadership...
You are serving in a time where the changes are painful and necessary.
Good Luck.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Dec 1 at 2014 4:40 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 16:40:37 -0500

The military is a reflection of society and as such, since the morals, ethics and standards in our society have deteriorated over time, so has our military.

Although the military has typically had higher levels of morals and ethics than society as a whole, in the past few decades, it has been used as a proving ground for social experimentation and that has adversely affected the institution as a whole. The past few years have been particularly impactive on the military. Political correctness; unbridled quest for gender equality, regardless of the cost, along with the resultant reduction of standards; immoral dictates; suppression of religion; etc.; etc. have all played a role in the rapid deterioration of the military.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 26 at 2016 4:41 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 16:41:23 -0400

There are few who enter service and leave a lesser person than they entered. There is no other profession that perpetually highlights all that is right. Service members are held to certain standards on and off duty, their family's are even integrated into the military life and expect more of their service member and their children. It is a way of life not a job. Thanks for your service!

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Sep 30 at 2016 10:04 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Fri, 30 Sep 2016 22:04:17 -0400

My standards and attitude didn't change at all I enjoyed My time in US ARMY for 16.5 years
I wish things could have been Different. Tell This Day I still remember a lot of Regulations and Most of All since I worked in a Motor pool I still this day remember part numbers and it never goes away.