Moral Injury in the Military: Beyond the Battlefield and Within the Institution

This article examines the concept of moral injury as it applies not only to combat experiences, but also to perceived institutional betrayal within military organizations. It explores how service members may experience psychological and ethical distress when actions or decisions by leadership conflict with personal values, expectations of fairness, or the oath of service. The piece considers the broader implications for trust, mental health, and organizational culture when internal processes are perceived as unjust or inconsistent with stated values.