Peace-support operations have changed the dimension of the military ethos, introducing elements (e.g. protection of human rights) not expressly provided for in the Italian Constitution. From a philosophical point of view, it should be understood whether these elements are entirely new ethical expressions, or rather an expansion of basic values already present in the national military tradition. From the legal-philosophical point of view, it should be pinpointed their effects in the framework of the current military rules, regulations and justice (nomos). My article attempts a short analysis of this complexity starting from some typical commonplaces (sacredness of the defensive function, hierarchy and discipline, team spirit, honor and heroism), then addressing the issue of constitutional rules and the current perception of military status.
Keywords: military ethics; warrior (ethos of); discipline; esprit de corps; honor; heroism; military regulations; oath of enlistment.