The voracity of war

Today the public holds military leaders and members of the armed services in high esteem as altruistic servants of American ideals. Yet, we have to be careful that in honoring those who engage in the business of war, we do not lose sight of the problems with war.

We do not yet know what made Nidal Malik Hassan snap, but this horror and other cases of violence, depression, and suicide among soldiers at home and abroad remind us of war's voracity. It not only consumes soldiers' lives, but it seeks to consume their humanity.

Soldiers fight the war without and the war within. Military leaders face the challenge of deploying and bringing home fighters who are still decent human beings.

By Joanne B. Ciulla

 |  November 6, 2009; 10:52 AM ET
Category:  Military Leadership
Share This: Technorati | Del.icio.us | Digg | Facebook
Previous: Crisis leadership from a commander | Next: More than a recruiting slogan