Upholding Human Dignity as a First Principle: Preventive Moral Injury Work in NATO Chaplaincy

Area of Science:

• Military Ethics
• Psychotraumatology
• Spiritual Care

Background:

• Warfare has profound moral, spiritual, and existential consequences not fully addressed by traditional psychiatric models.
• Moral injury is a growing concern in military research, with chaplains playing a key role in its management.
• Preventing moral injury during active, large-scale conflict remains a significant knowledge gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a strategic principle for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military chaplaincy services.
• To strengthen preventive efforts against moral injury in war settings.
• To derive a unifying framework from empirical insights of Ukrainian military chaplains.

Main Methods:

• Reflective analysis of empirical insights from Ukrainian military chaplains in a full-scale war context.
• Derivation of an overarching strategic principle from observed chaplaincy practices.
• Conceptualization of the principle as a non-programmatic, unifying framework for NATO chaplaincy.

Main Results:

• The principle of "human dignity first" is proposed, emphasizing the continuous effort to counter dehumanization and preserve the human dimension.
• This principle can serve as a unifying framework for NATO chaplaincy without altering national structures or roles.
• The principle implicitly supports operational effectiveness, leadership, and decision-making as a preventive measure against moral injury.

Conclusions:

• "Human dignity first" is a strategic principle that can enhance cohesion, interoperability, and sustainability within NATO military chaplaincy.
• Implementing this principle offers a proactive approach to mitigating moral injury.
• The framework respects national autonomy while fostering a shared ethical foundation for military chaplaincy services.