Lesson: Uncompromising Character in the Officer Corps

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Lesson Uncompromising Character in the Officer
Corps

• Study of SECAF Roches Speech, 28 Feb03

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In a letter to Gen Hankins, AFOATS/CC
the AF will not tolerate those who sexually
assault others, fail to prevent such assaults,
protect the assailants, or shun or harass those
who come forward to report the criminals. Its
the AF policy to treat all individuals with
dignity respectSuch despicable acts towards
others not only show a lack of self-control that
discredits the perpetrator, but also impact the
mission and erode the morale, good order and
discipline of the entire unit.
Gen Cook, AETC/CC Mar 03
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OVERVIEW Uncompromising Character in the
Officer Corps

• High moral standards of conduct
• Ethical moral challenges
• Concern for moral relativism
• Character leadership

When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad,I
feel bad. Thats my religion.
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High Moral Standards of Conduct

• Discipline
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Noble profession

Keep looking below surface appearances. Don't
shrink from doing so just because you might not
like what you find.   Never neglect details.
When everyone's mind is dulled or distracted the
leader must be doubly vigilant.
--Colin Powell
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Ethical Moral Challenges

• Compromise/peer pressure
• Character judgment
• Wingman culture

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil or
injustice is that good men do nothing.
--Edmund Burke, 1729-1797
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Concern for Moral Relativism

• Def Moral relativism (individual choice)
• Moral relativism vs Values
• Cultural changes (tolerance for diverse behaviors)

Will people ever be wise enough to refuseto
take away the freedom of others?
--Eleanor Roosevelt
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Moral relativism not an option here
We want officers(Roche, 28 Feb 03)

• With forthright integrityvoluntarily decide the
  right thing to do
• Who are selfless in service
• Who are committed to excellence (personally,
  professionally)
• Who respect the dignity of all human beings
• Who are decisive, even when facing high risk
• Who take full responsibility for their decisions
  and actions
• Who reflect always the special trust and
  confidence reposed in them
• And, who have the self-discipline, determination,
  and courage to do their duty well under even the
  most extreme and prolonged conditions

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Character Leadership

• Internalizestart NOW
• (you cant wait until youre an officer)
• Commitment
• Do the right thing

The time is always right to do what is right. 
Martin L.King Jr.
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SUMMARY Uncompromising Character in the
Officer Corps

• High moral standards of conduct
• Ethical moral challenges
• Concern for moral relativism
• Character leadership

4 Mar 02 - SrA Jason Cunningham (age 26), 38th
Rescue Sq, was hit in the abdomen by machine-gun
fire in the snowy, 10,000 ft mountains of
Afghanistan while treating the wounded and
pulling others to safety. He continued to treat
10 wounded men until he died, more than 7 hrs
later
22nd recipient of AF Cross
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Cadet Cunningham (FT - Ellsworth II 02)
More important, we want to be recognized for
producing men and women of the highest character
and moral standardsmen and women who can
lookCadet Teresa Cunningham in the eyes and not
be ashamed of what they have doneor what they
have failed to do (SECAF Roche, 28
Feb 03)
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People grow through experience if they meet life
honestly and courageously, this is how character
will be built. --Eleanor
Roosevelt