Ethical Lapses and the Military Profession

• Author: Meredith Kleykamp,Thomas Crosbie
• DOI: 10.1177/0095327X17752900
• Published date: 01 October 2018
• Date: 01 October 2018
• Subject Matter: Essays

Essay

Ethical Lapses and the

Military Profession:

Three Problems and a

Solution

Thomas Crosbie

1

and Meredith Kleykamp

2

Abstract

In a recent issue of this journal, we published an article titled “Fault Lines of the

American MilitaryProfession”. Donald S. Travis subsequently wrote a Dipustatio Sine

Finerejoinder that raised a numberof criticisms of our pieceand suggested several ways

forward.For our part, we detect three seriousproblems in Travis’s analysis and offer a

single syncreticresponse. Our solution builds on the insights of Travis’s critique while

avoiding the pitfalls of his specific line of reasoning. We conclude by urging others to

continue to debate and research these very consequential and timely issues.

Keywords

military profession, civil–military relations, expertise, military ethic, domestic politics

Recently in this journal, we published an article titled “Fault Lines of the American

Military Profession” (Crosbie & Kleykamp, 2017). Donald S. Travis subsequently

wrote a Dipustatio Sine Fine rejoinder that raises a number of criticisms of our piece

and suggested several ways forward. In what follows, we respond to his critiques

while offering critiques of our own which cast doubt on his proposed alternative.

Ultimately, however, we extend our thanks to Travis for advancing the debate, and

1

Royal Danish Defence College, Copenhagen, Denmark

2

Department of Sociology, Center for Research on Military Organization, University of Maryland College

Park, College Park, MD, USA

Corresponding Author:

Thomas Crosbie, Forsvarsakademiet Ryvangs Alle, Kobenhavn 2100, Denmark.

Email: thcr@fak.dk

Armed Forces & Society

2018, Vol. 44(4) 748-757

ªThe Author(s) 2018

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DOI: 10.1177/0095327X17752900

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