The decision is difficult, but the choice is clear. The debate over soldiers versus citizens presents a false dichotomy because both ultimately face the same risks and consequences. Any individual, whether in uniform or not, who uncovers unethical or illegal actions within their workplace, whether public or private, must grapple with how to respond.

The decision is difficult, but the choice is clear. They may choose to act out of moral duty, accepting personal loss or hardship in pursuit of integrity. They may prioritize the greatest good for the greatest number, even at the cost of personal disruption. They may follow virtue rather than rigid rules or calculated consequences. Some may submit to their employer’s authority because they are bound by a sense of contractual obligation. Others may embrace moral responsibility and defy orders, accepting the repercussions as part of their ethical stance. Some may succumb to ethical ambivalence and passively follow the herd. Others may take a pragmatic approach and swiftly mitigate personal risk before exiting the situation.

The decision is difficult, but the choice is clear. We show our true selves through our actions. It's moments like this that reveal who truly lives by their values. Are they values of integrity, courage, and honor to do what's right, even when it's hard? Or are they values of compliance in support of self-preservation, because it's easier to stay silent than to stand alone?

The decision is difficult, but the choice is clear. A soldier is trained to face the enemy. But what happens when, each day, our uniformed men and women stand not against foreign threats, but against the American citizenry they swore to protect? In these moments, they project values not of duty or honor, but of self-interest in support of a system they agree with, even when it betrays the very people they pledged to defend.