DB4 response 1 (75 words)

Of the four generations of warfare outlined by William S. Lind in his article entitled “Understanding Fourth Generation War”, I believe that of the four generations, the one that I find most “ethical” utilizing my own personal ethical code would be the First Generation of war.  The trait or defining factor that my personal code defines as ethical in these generations of war is the distinction between ““military” from “civilian” – uniforms, saluting, careful gradations or rank – were products of the First Generation and are intended to reinforce the culture of order” (Lind, 2004).  In my opinion, this is the one thing that defines whether a conflict is ethical or an exercise in butchery and murder.  Although there is a certain level of acceptability in civilian casualties depending on the objectives of an operation, the use of force deliberately towards a civilian populace leading to the unnecessary deaths of non-combatants to achieve military and political success crosses every line that I define as acceptable in the pursuit of victory through war.  The evolution of warfare into this Fourth Generation only serves to muddle the distinction between military forces and civilian non-combatants allowing the resurgence of guerilla tactics and insurgencies that lead to the further sheding of blood by those who are non-combatants.