Army Leader Ethics.pdf - UNC Charlotte Army ROTC

142 ■ SECTION 5Step 1: Identify the Ethical ProblemIdentifying the problem is the first step in making any decision. It can also be the mostdifficult. Consider the dilemma 2LT Shane Casey faced in Vietnam.The Caring Lieutenant2LT Shane Casey’s infantry platoon has been on patrol for five days in the CentralHighlands of Vietnam. The men are filthy and bone-tired after running contactswith enemy elements and long nights of half-on, half-off duty. In the morningthey will consolidate with other elements of the company and move to landingzones about three miles south for helicopter pick-up.Late that afternoon, as they moved to the position they are to establish for thenight, they encountered a group of Vietnamese civilians, about 30 older men andwomen with a few children. 2LT Casey’s Vietnamese chieu hoi (former VC who,after being captured, has joined the ARVN, South Vietnamese military) interviewsthe people and tells him that the civilians are fleeing the battle area to a provinceon the coast after a North Vietnamese Army (NVA) battalion moved into theirvillage and collected most of the inhabitants for supply transport duty.They have no food or supplies of any kind. The civilians are physically spent and inbad shape. A number of them need medical attention for wounds. The platoonmedic has only a basic supply of medical items that he carries in the pack on his back.The platoon sergeant has just suggested helping the Vietnamese. He wants tocollect the rations that were air-dropped yesterday and distributed and give themto the group of Vietnamese. He noted that they have a long way to travel to getout of the Highlands to the coastal province. He also stated that some medicalassistance would be a good idea. One of the squad leaders respondedimmediately that the platoon needs to keep its food, that anything could happenbetween now and the time the company is picked up tomorrow. He is especiallyincensed about the platoon sergeant’s suggestion about using the medicalsupplies. In the heavy jungle of the Highlands, resupply and evacuation ofcasualties are problematic. Many of the infrequent open areas are underobservation by the NVA, often with antiaircraft machine guns in position.Should 2LT Casey share some of his supplies with the Vietnamese civilians?Should he tell the medic to use some of his medical kit to treat the injured? Hisimmediate reaction is to provide whatever assistance he could to the refugees. Aquick reflection, however, reminds him of mission considerations for tonight andtomorrow. What should 2LT Casey do?conflicts of interestsituations wheredifferent needs andexpectations compete,requiring ethical choicesEthical problems tend to fall into some broad categories. 2LT Casey faced several.Conflicts of InterestThis situation is marked by two sets of interests. The Vietnamese civilians need food andmedicine. While the Soldiers do not need food or medical treatment at the moment, they