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Uncompromising
Character in the Officer Corps
Lesson:
• Study of SECAF
Roche’s Speech, 28
Feb03
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. It’s the AF policy to treat all
individuals with dignity & respect…Such despicable
acts towards others not only show a lack of selfcontrol 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
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. That’s my religion.”
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
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
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
refuse…to take
away the
freedom of
others?”
--Eleanor Roosevelt
Moral relativism not an option here…
“…We want officers:…”(Roche, 28 Feb 03)
• With forthright integrity…voluntarily 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
Character & Leadership
• Internalize…start NOW
(you can’t wait until you’re an officer)
• Commitment
• “Do the right thing”
The time is always right to do what is right. ~Martin L.King Jr.
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
Cadet Cunningham
(FT - Ellsworth II ’02)
“More important, we want to be recognized for producing men
and women of the highest character and moral
standards…men and women who can look…Cadet Teresa
Cunningham in the eyes and not be ashamed of what they
have done…or what they have failed to do…”
(SECAF Roche, 28 Feb 03)
“People grow
through
experience if
they meet life
honestly and
courageously,
this is how
character will be
built.”
--Eleanor Roosevelt