Which two ethical principles are commonly cited as guiding Army leadership decisions?

• A. Courage and transparency.
• B. Loyalty and secrecy.
• C. Integrity and accountability.
• D. Respect for tradition and hierarchy.

Answer: (C)

Leaders are guided by ethical standards that shape how they decide and act. Integrity means doing what is right, even when it’s hard or costly, staying true to moral principles, and earning trust from others. Accountability means owning the outcomes of decisions, accepting responsibility for actions, and being answerable to the standards the Army sets for its leaders and units. Together, these two form a solid foundation for trustworthy, responsible leadership in the Army, ensuring decisions are principled and actions can be explained and justified.

The other pairings don’t fit as neatly. Courage is a vital quality, but it’s a personality trait or capability rather than a core ethical principle guiding decision-making, and transparency isn’t universally treated as a fundamental ethical principle in leadership doctrine in the same way. Loyalty paired with secrecy suggests hiding information, which conflicts with the accountability part of ethical leadership. Respect for tradition and hierarchy describes structural respect rather than the essential, value-driven duties that guide leaders’ choices.