The Habits of an Ethical Commander

Engaging in irregular warfare can potentially create a new set of ethical challenges. Such issues can have negative ramifications on the overall mission if not proactively addressed. Since winning the hearts and minds of the international locals is a centerpiece of today's engagements, it would behoove emerging leaders to embrace empirical habits to mitigate moral lapses that consequently energize the opposition's endeavors. This qualitative study interviews 52 mid to senior level commanders and gleans their best ethical practices when they were in command. Such data is synthesized with the literature on irregular warfare and leadership to devise a values-based model for the Irregular War fighter in the 21st Century.