LEGAL & MILITARY ETHICS ESSAY

Final paper, click here

A class assignment while I was in theParalegal Program at Meredith College, Raleigh, NC, required the examination of the ethics and professional behavior of an attorney in a movie.  I chose “A Few Good Men” – a story in which legal ethics and military ethics intertwine. As a future paralegal and a former military brat, I was drawn to the potential conflict between concepts of duty, honor, and loyalty in the military and legal ethics. I was also curious as to what other people thought, so designed and distributed a survey on the topic.  My analysis, conclusions, and survey results are available here.   

Many thanks to all who helped in my research, especially my brother, Col. G. R. McCahan, III (US Army, my uncle, Col. A. R. McCahan (US Army, Ret.), and Chapel Hill and Navy JAG attorney Glenn Gerding.

More Background

My Dad, grandfather, brother, and uncle all served as Air Force or Army officers in war zones. Our oldest son is currently in the Army Reserves. Dad’s sacrifice, along with that of so many others, is remembered by The Vietnam War In Memory Memorial Plaque Project, which honors America's post-Vietnam Casualties. G.R. McCahan, Jr. died in February 1987 of leukemia due to his exposure to Agent Orange during his tour of duty in Vietnam, 2/1968 – 2/1969. 

Kim McCahan Batson

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The In Memory Memorial Plaque was dedicated November 10, 2004, on the eve of Veteran's Day.  Pictured left to right are my brother, (now) Col. G.R. McCahan, III (in uniform, saluting), our mother, Helen McCahan, Aunt Lyn, and Uncle Alan (Col. A.R. "Mac" McCahan, U.S. Army, Ret.).

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