Donald Bolduc
A strong and principled military depends on service members who possess the discipline to follow lawful orders and the moral courage to challenge those that violate the values they are sworn to defend.Brigadier General (Ret.) Donald C. Bolduc, former US Army Special Forces Commander. (US Army).
In discussions surrounding military conduct and the responsibilities of service members, it is vital to recognize the profound implications of the statements made by figures like Karoline Leavitt (Fox News Interview: You Can’t Have a Soldier ‘Questioning Whether That Order Is Lawful’) when highlighting the nature of obedience within the ranks. Her assertion that soldiers should not question the legality of orders points to a complex dynamic that has significant ramifications for military ethics and accountability. While the chain of command necessitates a degree of obedience, the moral and ethical responsibilities of individual service members require a nuanced examination.
At the heart of military service is the expectation that orders will be lawful, moral, and just. Military personnel are trained to follow commands promptly and efficiently; however, there exists a critical obligation—both historically and ethically—for soldiers to scrutinize the legality and morality of those orders, particularly in instances where they may contravene established laws or ethical standards. It is within this framework of responsibility that leaders play an essential role. When leaders fail to uphold their duties to provide lawful and ethical directives, the onus falls on individual service members to ensure accountability and integrity for the actions taken under those commands.
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