Ethical Leadership Development: Highlights from the Past and a Glimpse of the Future

Authors

• Elias Ursitti, Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, National Defense University
• Eric J. Weis, National Defense University; Darden Foundation, Darden Business School, University of Virginia
• Donald P. Loren, Eisenhower School

Abstract

This article traces the development of ethical leadership in the U.S. military over the past century and argues that character, integrity, and ethical judgment remain essential to the profession of arms. Using the Eisenhower School’s centennial as a framework, the authors review how military ethics have adapted to changing forms of warfare, technology, law, civil-military relations, and social expectations from the interwar period through the post–Cold War era. They highlight recurring challenges involving civilian protection, command responsibility, nuclear weapons, counterinsurgency, autonomous systems, private military contractors, diversity and inclusion, toxic leadership, and the psychological effects of war. Looking ahead, the article identifies emerging ethical challenges associated with artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons, geopolitical escalation, domestic instability, cyber disruptions, disasters, recruiting shortfalls, and human-machine interaction. The authors recommend expanding ethical leadership development beyond compliance-based training toward continuous, values-based education that integrates ethical dilemmas into professional military education, exercises, wargames, coaching, organizational culture, and leader development. They conclude that sustained ethical grounding will be necessary to prepare military leaders to make difficult decisions in increasingly complex and uncertain environments.