"If you want to change the world, be your very best in the darkest moment."
– Admiral William H. McRaven
The Australian Army is undergoing the most significant transformation since World War II. While the strategic environment has driven structural and material changes, ethos and leadership still underpin the foundation of Army. The enduring relevance of Stoic philosophy in military contexts is evident in the alignment between ancient Stoic principles and the core values of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Stoicism, with its emphasis on virtue, duty, resilience, and moral responsibility, offers a philosophical foundation that complements the ADF’s commitment to Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity, and Excellence. As the Roman philosopher and soldier Seneca once wrote, ‘Brave men rejoice in adversity, just as brave soldiers triumph in war.’
This essay explores the intersection of Stoic thought and military service, highlighting how these timeless teachings reinforce the ethos, leadership, and conduct expected within the ADF. It does this by an examination of each of the ADF’s values through the lens of Stoic teachings. Importantly, this exploration is not an argument for adopting Stoicism as an official framework, but rather an examination of how Stoic principles of service and virtue naturally align with – and help illuminate – the ethical, professional, and institutional demands of military service, particularly within the Australian Army’s distinct identity as a Profession of Arms.
Duty and Service: The Stoic Concept of Kathekon
In Stoic philosophy, kathekon refers to appropriate actions aligned with one’s role in society. For soldiers, this translates to a profound sense of duty and service. The Australian Army encapsulates this through the ADF value of Service, defined as ‘the selflessness of character to place the security and interests of our nation and its people ahead of my own.’ This mirrors the Stoic ideal of fulfilling one’s role with commitment, integrity, and without personal gain.
Marcus Aurelius, Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor, emphasised the centrality of duty: ‘If it is not right, do not do it; if it is not true, do not say it.’ This principle resonates with the Army’s expectation that its members act purposefully for Defence and the nation, demonstrating accountability and trustworthiness. As General Sir John Monash, one of Australia’s most celebrated military leaders, declared, ‘Equip yourself for life, not solely for your own benefit, but for the benefit of the whole community.’
To strengthen a culture rooted in kathekon behaviour, organisations like the Army must deliberately recognise acts of duty and service. While high-profile achievements or heroic moments remain important, the quiet, daily commitment of those who uphold standards without seeking recognition for a dedication to the ethos of the military profession. By acknowledging soldiers who consistently fulfil their roles – those who support the team, uphold discipline, and make personal sacrifices for the collective good – leaders signal that such behaviour is valued and central to the group’s identity.
This can be achieved through awards, public commendations, or peer-nominated recognitions that highlight kathekon actions, making them visible cultural touchstones. Over time, reinforcing these behaviours reshapes organisational culture: it shifts focus away from personal ambition toward a shared service ethic, reinforcing the Stoic belief that right action matters, regardless of reward.
Endurance and Resilience: Embracing Hardship
Stoicism teaches the endurance of pain and hardship as a path to virtue. Epictetus, a former slave turned philosopher, advised, ‘(d)ifficulties are things that show a person what they are.’ This perspective is integral to military training, where resilience is systematically cultivated through challenging environments and testing scenarios.
A key underpinning philosophy for the Army is to emphasise adaptability and agility, encouraging personnel to reflect, learn, and improve under pressure. Such qualities are essential in facing the uncertainties of military operations and align directly with the Stoic belief in embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy’ – a reminder that character is forged, not inherited, and that resilience must be actively built.
Realistic, arduous, scenario-based training builds directly on the Stoic path to virtue by exposing soldiers to controlled hardship that demands both physical endurance and mental adaptability. In the Army, this includes live-fire exercises, complex mission simulations, survival training, and stress inoculation drills, where soldiers must navigate fear, fatigue, and uncertainty. If training is well-designed, these challenges become not merely technical tests; they become moral crucibles, designed to cultivate the Stoic qualities of courage, self-discipline, perseverance, and clear judgment under pressure.
As Marcus Aurelius reflected, ‘You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength.’ By confronting demanding scenarios repeatedly, soldiers internalise the lesson that conditions may be punishing, but their response – their mindset – remains within their control.
It is not enough to just build resilient individuals. Arduous training strengthens the collective virtue of the unit. It forges bonds of trust and mutual reliance, teaching individuals that success depends not only on personal toughness but on teamwork, communication, and shared resilience. Each scenario, no matter how gruelling, becomes an opportunity for personal growth and the reinforcement of unit cohesion. Through this process, hardship transforms from mere suffering into a proving ground for virtue, shaping soldiers into teams capable of enduring adversity with integrity, professionalism, and purpose – the very essence of Stoic resilience.
Control and Acceptance: The Dichotomy of Control
A central Stoic tenet distinguishes between what is within our control and what is not. This dichotomy fosters a mindset of acceptance and sharpens focus on personal responsibility. In military contexts, this principle aids in maintaining composure amidst the unpredictability and chaos of combat.
The Army’s emphasis on accountability and trustworthiness directly reflects this Stoic concept. By encouraging each person to take responsibility for their actions and decisions, the Army fosters a culture where individuals focus on their conduct, irrespective of external circumstances. Epictetus wisely cautioned, ‘We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.’
Leadership plays a critical role in embedding this mindset within military culture. While Stoicism teaches that each individual must govern their own actions and judgments, it is ultimately the responsibility of leaders to set the expectations, boundaries, and conditions that make accountability a lived reality. Leaders at all levels of command must model responsibility by admitting mistakes, owning decisions, and standing by their teams. Stoic leadership requires humility, self-discipline, and the moral courage to face criticism or setbacks without deflection – embodying the principle that our character, not our circumstances, defines us.
To reinforce this ethos, formal systems such as the military justice system and administrative frameworks must uphold a consistent culture of accountability. It is not enough to rely solely on personal ethics; institutional mechanisms must ensure that misconduct, negligence, or failure to meet standards are addressed fairly and constructively. The military justice system serves as both a corrective and an educative tool, making clear that actions carry consequences and that responsibility is non-negotiable. Likewise, administrative processes such as performance appraisals, counselling, and professional development pathways provide structured opportunities for individuals to take ownership of their growth and rectify shortcomings.
Importantly, these systems should not be viewed merely as punitive but as essential pillars in maintaining a trustworthy and cohesive force. When applied with fairness and transparency, they reinforce the idea that everyone – from junior soldiers to senior leaders – is accountable to the same ethical and professional standards, fostering respect and reinforcing collective morale.
By combining Stoic principles of self-mastery with institutional mechanisms of justice and fairness, the Army builds a culture where responsibility is not feared but embraced, and where accountability becomes the foundation of both individual and organisational integrity.
Courage: Facing Adversity with Fortitude
Courage is both a Stoic virtue and a core value of the ADF. The Stoics viewed courage as the strength to act rightly in the face of fear. Seneca stated, ‘Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.’ This aligns seamlessly with the ADF’s definition of Courage as ‘the strength of character to say and do the right thing, always, especially in the face of adversity.’
Military service often entails confronting danger, moral dilemmas, and uncertainty. By instilling courage as a foundational value, the Army prepares its members to uphold their duties with integrity, even under the most challenging conditions. As Australian SAS veteran Mark Donaldson VC remarked, ‘You can’t be brave if you’re not scared. It’s about standing up and doing it anyway.’
Stoic philosophers emphasised that courage is not the absence of fear but the determination to do what is right despite it. In the Army, this translates to a leadership philosophy that empowers subordinates to take initiative and accept accountability. Only by facing real-world situations where outcomes are uncertain and the stakes significant, can soldiers and junior leaders test and strengthen their moral and physical courage in combat. Leaders who centralise all authority inadvertently stifle the growth of their subordinates, denying them the chance to develop judgment, resilience, and independent confidence – all qualities essential for modern decentralised warfare.
Yet courage, while a personal virtue, does not emerge in isolation – it must be deliberately nurtured within an organisational environment that allows individuals to face meaningful risks and exercise genuine responsibility. In military contexts, this requires pushing decision-making and risk acceptance down to the lowest possible levels. When junior leaders and soldiers are entrusted with decisions that carry real consequences, they are given the space to develop the courage to act, even amid uncertainty or potential failure. This delegation of risk not only fosters personal responsibility but also builds professional confidence, as individuals learn through experience that they can handle complexity and adversity without waiting for orders.
Such trust in subordinates not only fosters courage but also deepens the bond between leaders and their teams, as individuals learn they are valued and capable of bearing responsibility. As confidence grows through successfully managing risk, so too does the courage to face greater challenges, creating a virtuous cycle of trust, competence, and moral fortitude.
Moreover, pushing risk acceptance downward enhances the adaptability and responsiveness of the force as a whole. Execution of military operations are fast-moving, decentralised, and unpredictable; success depends on the ability of individuals at every level of command to make timely, courageous decisions without waiting for top-down directives. By embedding a culture of risk tolerance – and making clear that well-reasoned, courageous decisions will be supported, even if outcomes are imperfect – the Army reinforces the Stoic ideal that virtue lies not in controlling every outcome, but in acting rightly within one’s sphere of control.
Conclusion
The integration of Stoic principles within the ADF’s values underscores the timeless relevance of Stoicism in shaping ethical, resilient, and courageous military service. By embracing Stoic values and principles, soldiers not only fulfil their operational roles but also uphold the deeper responsibilities of the Profession of Arms – safeguarding national security, maintaining institutional trust, and embodying the Army’s moral authority. Through continuous commitment to personal virtue and professional mastery, soldiers reinforce the Army’s standing as a disciplined, honourable, and potent military force. In doing so, they demonstrate that military excellence is not merely about mission success but about fulfilling a sacred trust to serve with integrity, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to the nation and its people.
Want to know more about Stoicism? Here’s some recommended reading:
- The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday – A powerful guide to turning challenges into opportunities, widely read by athletes, leaders, and military professionals.
- Ego Is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday – A sharp examination of how mastering ego strengthens leadership, decision-making, and resilience under pressure.
- Meditations (Gregory Hays translation) by Marcus Aurelius – Though ancient, this remains one of the most practical and timeless works on self-discipline, humility, and leadership under adversity; the Hays translation is particularly accessible for modern readers.
- Leadership in War by Andrew Roberts – While not strictly Stoic, this book offers rich insights into the leadership styles, moral courage, and strategic thinking of famous wartime leaders, many of whom embodied Stoic principles.
- Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life… And Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven – A short, inspiring book on discipline, resilience, and leadership from a decorated U.S. Navy SEAL, reflecting Stoic ideas in practice.
