After War Zone Scandals, Special Operators Are Curbing Deployments and Investing in Ethics Training
A U.S. Army Special Forces soldier qualifies at a stress shoot range at Ft. Carson, Colorado, Mar. 10, 2016. (U.S. Army/Sgt. Connor Mendez)
12 Apr 2021
In the world of special operations, the moral choices troops must make are definitely not black and white, Robert Mitchell, associate dean for Joint Special Operations University, acknowledged.
But in recent years, some special operations forces have pushed the envelope on gray area behavior, acting in ways that are clearly unethical or illegal, and in cases, even committing war crimes. These high-profile scandals prompted U.S. Special Operations Command to launch a major review to get at the root of the problems plaguing the SOF community.
By Air Force Senior Airman Dylan M. Gentile, 919th Special Operations Wing / Published April 08, 2021
A simulated partner nation community leader speaks with Combat Aviation Advisors assigned to the 711th Special Operations Squadron during a proficiency exercise near Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, March 17, 2021. Key leader engagements are part of how CAAs facilitate training with partner nations within the foreign aviation internal defense mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Gentile)
Combat Aviation Advisors assigned to the 711th Special Operations Squadron provide medical care to a simulated casualty during a proficiency exercise near Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, March 17, 2021. The team practiced responding to simulated protests and social unrest that blocked roadways to access the casualty and provide immediate care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Gentile)