| This dissertation examines the religious/symbolic and ethical elements rooted in the traditions, ideology, and 'doctrine' of American military culture. These elements operate on two levels: (1) as part of military training or academic programs and in 'character development' programs, especially for officers; and (2) as an ancient 'Code of Honor' and call to 'Duty.' This study discerns two value-systems at work in military culture---Professional Military Ethics (PME)---and the more traditional 'heroic ethics' rooted deeply within the so-called warrior spirit.;On the hypothesis that the motto Duty, Honor, Country functions as an allegory for the systemic heroic code at the core of military culture, this dissertation seeks to interpret the paradigmatic---(what military ethicists cite as bedrock)---values derived from that allegory. For example, this study identifies Duty as a cardinal principle for actions mandated by 'ancient customs' that can override external laws. It also assesses military culture's standards of behavior and its belief system in light of this internalized heroic code. It also evaluates the taboo of fratenization as integral to the heroic Code of Honor; posits 'Country' as primarily an allegory for military culture itself; and assesses military cultures standards of behavior and its belief system in light of its internalized heroic code. It asks, "What is the relationship between traditional military harassment and sexual harassment?" and "Should military officers maintain higher moral standards than men and women in other professions?" This study also seeks to discover the motivation behind the desire of potential warriors to emulate the persona of traditional, idealized heroic icons. It argues that both a 'male undercode' and a 'religious undercode' exist at the root of military culture, shunning all 'feminizing' influences, and stimulating a strong drive to achieve a type of "supermasculine" identity.;Three primary methodologies interface---those of military theory, feminist theory, and the history of religion---as this dissertation seeks to discover the military's own interpretation of its 'ancient' ethos and 'spiritual' identification. |
