ABSTRACT
The military need the guidance of moral rules in the daily conduct of their lives. The military need a code of moral conduct that enables them to distinguish themselves from pirates, and see themselves rather as warriors in a noble tradition of service on behalf of the state. The just war principles provide US with a moral rule book for war, a road map for the campaign. A rule book is certainly necessary for the ethical behaviour of those involved with war. Military practical wisdom was for Aquinas a virtue to be exercised chiefly by the general commanding an army. Moral courage is the virtue that a service person needs to challenge unacceptable behaviour and to disobey orders to carry out immoral or illegal actions. Morality needs to be expounded not as an abstract set of principles but as a practical guide to daily living, taught by precept, personal example and practice.
