After Dr. Bell’s presentation on “The Profession of Arms and the Moral State We are In: The 
Shared Mission of Ordered Liberty” last night (April 20) we sent out a two-question, open-ended, two-question survey.
1- What is your take away from Dr. Bell’s opening remarks/presentation?
2- Do you feel a tension between the professional military ethic and the state and/or society? If you do, how do you experience/feel that tension?
Some responses for question 1:
• Pointing out common values between the military and larger society resonated with me. We are not any better (ethically/morally speaking) than society. We are just judged differently…perhaps.
• He was on target with his analysis of the conflicting values between the military and society, which is an expanding gap. I would have like more information or a copy of paper on this topic.
Some responses for question 2:
• I do not feel the tension.
• Yes! Having worked in the civilian workforce post military retirement, I’ve found a stark difference in the professional ethics of military people and the lack of a professional ethics in many civilians…
How did you answer these questions?– Share in the comments below.
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Depending on the issue, the tension between the military and the civilian populace and civilian leaders is, or can be at least, healthy. It’s a healthy tension if military leadership are actually allowed to make recommendations…unhealthy if they’re simply expected to salute and move out to every knuckleheaded idea politicians can dream up.
It’s our duty to recommend and advise, especially if we have a particular experience or expertise. Likewise it’s our duty to execute the lawful order once it has been issued without kicking rocks just because we were out voted or disregarded. FYI, Knuckleheads and their decisons come in many ranks and status, but disagreement does not equal disrespect.