The difference between military and civilians in the Pentagon

The military guys still have honor:

U.S. troops are obligated to stop Iraqi security forces from committing inhumane acts, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace said that if U.S. servicemembers see inhumane treatment, it is their obligation to “to intervene, to stop it” [...]

After making his comments, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld intervened to clarify Pace’s remarks.

“I don’t think you mean they have an obligation to physically stop it; it’s to report it,” Rumsfeld said

“If they are physically present when inhumane treatment is taking place they have an obligation to try to stop it,” Pace replied.

You can get tied up in technicalities and official protocols or you can do what you think is right. Therein lies the difference.