The person underneath the uniform: Moral ambivalence and moral distress in the military

This article examines the often-overlooked moral pressures of military service, drawing on the author’s doctoral research on moral distress among Dutch veterans. Against the backdrop of the renewed public prominence of the armed forces, it argues that moral ambivalence is an integral part of soldiering. Based on a narrative study with 25 active or retired service members of diverse backgrounds, the research identifies morally stressful events during deployment and analyzes their cognitive and emotional components. Feelings of powerlessness, anger, and disappointment frequently emerged, rooted in experiences of violence and strained relationships. Role theory proved helpful in understanding tensions between personal and professional values and expectations, which may lead to a dissonance between identity and action and even failed self-constitution. The study shows how restricted autonomy, coercive compliance, and institutional constraints can contribute to moral distress, while opportunities for agency (room for maneuver) and social recognition help mitigate it. The findings underline that moral distress should not be confined to the clinical realm. Rather, it is a moral phenomenon requiring an adequate moral response from society. Veterans’ experiences thus invite broader reflection on responsibility, ­recognition, and the ethical foundations of military engagement.