Outsourcing Duty

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Are contemporary soldiers exploited by the state and society they defend? Specifically, have America's professional service members disproportionately carried the moral weight of the nation's war-fighting decisions since the all-volunteer force was established post-Vietnam and especially since 9/11? Michael Robillard and Bradley Strawser argue that many American soldiers have indeed been exploited in this manner. They introduce the concept of "moral exploitation," which posits that individuals or groups can be wrongfully burdened with excessive moral responsibility, risk, and exposure to morally questionable actions. Their analysis reveals the exploitative and misleading aspects of current military recruitment, the damaging civil-military divide between military members and civilians, and the stifling impact of the culture surrounding phrases like "Thank You for Your Service." This culture hinders serious public discourse on ongoing wars. Robillard and Strawser present compelling arguments about the demoralizing conditions faced by American soldiers and propose normative and prudential solutions to bridge the growing divide between America and its military. Their work provides a crucial and urgent perspective on the challenges confronting America's service members.