The unlimited liability contract tells us that so long as an order is legal (even if it is suicidal or perceived as unjust) a military member is normally expected to obey it (Coleman 2015). Wilfully disobeying a lawful order is insubordination.

However, constructive dissent is different to dissension or insubordination. Respectfully pointing out when something is wrong can be an important way of making sure mistakes do not happen. Working to uphold the standards of the military profession and obligations to the people by disagreeing with a wrong decision, is an important theme in the military. Dissent can therefore be an expression of loyalty for the military. However, a ‘service member simply “voicing” opposition to a policy or order that they don’t like is much closer to an act of dissension - that is, trying to undermine, rather than correct, a policy…An act of dissent may be constructive; an act of dissention is always corrosive.’

• If you challenge a superior via constructive dissent, you can be demonstrating loyalty for the military profession by preventing mistakes.

• Dissent can therefore be a method of upholding the values and standards of the military.

• Whilst dissent can be constructive, dissention can have very negative effectives on units and individuals.

See Queen of Hearts

Nikki Coleman, ‘The Unlimited Liability Contract and its Effects on Serving Military Personnel’, in George Lucas (ed.), Routledge Handbook of Military Ethics, (Routledge, Abingdon, 2015), p280.

Rebecca J. Johnson, ‘Serving Two Masters: When Professional Ethics Collide with Personal Morality’ in in George Lucas (ed.), Routledge Handbook of Military Ethics, (Routledge, Abingdon, 2015), p269.