Download E-Journal PDF here

Picture: Bundeswehr/Jonas Weber

Moral Injury: On Dealing with Moral Wounds

Dear readers, in an essay on moral injury, award-winning journalist David Wood describes sitting with US Marines. One of them, named Nik, recounts how he shot and killed a 12-year-old Afghan boy who was firing at him and his comrades during combat. Ethically, legally, and tactically, Nik cannot be blamed for anything; nevertheless, he cannot get over the fact that, according to his innermost convictions, he has done something deeply reprehensible.

Read the editorial

Values and Morals in Deployment – a Challenge for Mental Health

Peter Zimmermann

There is a close link between values, moral conflicts in service, and psychological disorder

Summary Full article

The Spiritual Dimension of Moral Injuries

Andreas Trampota

Moral injuries shake the foundations of morality

Summary Full article

The Abandonment of Moral Values in a Military Context: Moral Injury as a Distinctive Focus of Ethical Reflection in the German Armed Forces

Dirk Fischer

In addition to physical and mental resilience, moral fitness is essential in the military profession

Summary Full article

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

Sanneke Brouwers

Moral Distress among soldiers and veterans is much more than a clinical phenomenon

Summary Full article

Empathy’s Role in Military Meaning

Kevin Cutright

While empathy has a role to play in moral injury, wrong conclusions must be avoided

Summary Full article

Moral Injury and the Possibility of Self-Forgiveness

Philipp Gisbertz-Astolfi

The delicate question of self-forgiveness can be resolved ethically.

Summary Full article

Even Stoic Warriors Show Feelings

Nancy Sherman

Toughening up must not be confused with emotional numbing

Summary Full article

Special: Living with Mission-Related Psychological Disorder

"My value system was turned completely upside down"

Andre Hassan Khan

Go to interview

"Soldiers need to be prepared to endure deep inner conflicts"

Alexander Schäbler

Go to interview

"Deployment makes your soul turn gray"

Jonathan Göllner

Go to interview

"Just giving someone an address is often not enough"

Mojca und Matthias Dommes

Go to interview