Five factors inherent in military life contribute to the development of ethical dilemmas for military social workers. These factors must be clearly understood to appreciate the complexity and uniqueness of the many ethical dilemmas confronted by military social workers. It should be noted that these issues are not independent of each other. In fact, sometimes the combination of these factors increases the possibility of ethical dilemmas occurring.

These factors include the dual profession of the military social worker, the multi-purpose role of the social worker as a human service provider, hierarchical structure governed by military law, dual clients (active-duty and civilians), and geographic and professional isolation. In addition, each ethical dilemma is discussed with regards to the ethical standard prescribed by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. These core ethical dilemmas must be both clearly understood and resolved by all military social workers. If not, these core ethical dilemmas can and often lead to significant stress and eventual burnout for military social workers. The stress and burnout can lead to both an unproductive and unhappy military career.

The Dual Profession of the Military Social Worker:
The military social worker is both a professional social worker and a professional officer. While other social work settings may and often do create role conflict for the social worker, no social work setting is more prone to role conflict than the military setting. They support and believe in the primary mission of the social work profession: to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty (NASW Code of Ethics, 1996). Furthermore, military social workers focus on individual well-being in a social context and the well-being of society. However, they are also held accountable to another profession: the military profession. Each profession has its own set of morals, values, and ethics. Each has it own purpose or mission. This role conflict will create core ethical dilemmas for the military social worker. The question is often asked: Can one be both an officer and a social worker? If so, which takes precedence? Are there different times or situations when one role takes precedence over the other?

The Multi-Purpose Role of Military Social Work:
For the most part, the individual unit where the military social worker provides services can be conceptualized as a human service organization (mental health, family support center, family advocacy, alcohol and drug unit, etc.). One of the hallmarks of the modern society has been the vast proliferation of formal organizations explicitly designed to process and change people. Because of inherent conflict of interests, most human service organizations are developed and organized according to only one of the following strategies of socialization, social control, or social integration activities. However, both social control and social integration activities are inherent in the role of the military social worker. Regardless of unit, the military social worker is often faced with providing treatment for the individual and, at the same time, providing assessments, recommendations, testimony, etc., for administrative discharge or other forms of administrative action.

Hierarchical Structure Governed by Military Law:
The military is organized as a classical bureaucratic organization with a rigid hierarchical structure. Two of the most distinguishing characteristics of the military are a clear chain of command and rank. In addition to a clear chain of command, all military members have rank. Military rules, regulations, and policies are established to insure good order and discipline within the military. First, military social workers can and often are ordered to perform a task by either a non-social worker or an individual within their chain of command who is not their immediate supervisor. Second, military social workers are held responsible and punished for not following legal orders. Third, military social workers must work within the boundaries of both civilian and military law. Finally, military social workers cannot quit their jobs because they disagree with their immediate boss or with the chain of command. These factors, unique to the military context, often lead to ethical dilemmas for military social workers when working with clients.

The Dual Population of Clients Served by Military Social Workers:
Another unique factor faced by military social workers is the dual population served. Social workers serve both active-duty and non-active-duty clients. Active-duty members must follow orders and are held responsible and accountable for their actions. Civilians do not have to follow orders and are not held accountable to the military law. From a systems perspective it is impossible to separate the active-duty family member from the civilian family member. In addition, from a systems perspective it is sometimes difficult, if not impossible, to separate the family from the larger military system from which it is an integral part. These two realities create ethical dilemmas for the military social worker.
 
Geographic and Professional Isolation:
The last factor is not unique to military social work. However, when combined with the other factors, the result can create an environment conducive for the development of ethical dilemmas for the military social worker. In many of these assignments there will be only one social worker working with a limited number of helping professionals. At other locations the social worker may be the only provider. In almost all overseas locations, the military social worker is isolated from the civilian community and social work colleagues. While this allows for professional growth and development it can also create a host of ethical dilemmas for the military social.

The ethical dilemmas identified and discussed above both unique and common to all social work officers. Unique contributing factors related to the military were also identified. While it is impossible to discuss and resolve all possible ethical dilemmas, a guideline was presented to aid the social work officer when dealing with core and complex dilemmas. This guideline included the use of the NASW Code of Ethics, the understanding of laws, and the application of a decision-making model.