Module 1 – Course Intro
I.
Course Intro
a. Quotes
i. "If your actions inspire others to dream more,
learn more, do more and become more, you are a
leader." – Pres John Quincy Adams
ii. “Great leaders are almost always great
simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate
and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can
understand.” – General Colin Powell
iii. "A man does what he must - in spite of personal
consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers
and pressures - and that is the basis of all
human morality." – Pres John F. Kennedy
iv. “Questioning whether your intended action is the
ethical i.e., the “right” thing to do? Consider
those ethically upright people you know, whether
they be parents, clergy, respected military or
community leaders, and what they would think of
your actions.” – CAPT Ron Withrow
b. Bottom Line
i. What are ethics?
1. Ethics evaluates ones character and actions
against an established standard of what is
right and wrong.
2. Ethics concerns itself with what is right
vs. what is wrong, what is permissible
conduct vs. what isn’t, moral vs. immoral
decision-making. At its essence, it tells
is how we ought to live and why.
3. Related is ethical theory. There are 3 subbranches
a. Meta-ethics: investigates what we are
doing when we make moral judgments. Are
we giving our own opinion, are we
expressing an emotion like commendation
or disgust, or are we making a factual
statement?
b. Normative ethics: tries to formulate
general principles that govern whether
an act is right or wrong and
investigates the nature of rightness
and wrongness.
c. Applied ethics: studies ethical
conundrums associated with a specific
empirical issue, like poverty, war,
abortion, sexuality, and medical
procedures.
4. Course will focus on normative and applied
ethics: decision-making. What should be
done now, in a given situation, ALL THINGS
CONSIDERED?
ii. Ethical Decision-making
1. What things should one consider in making
ethical decisions?
a. Judgement, sensitivity, prudence,
imagination, creativity, foresight,
broadmindedness, wisdom.
b. Self-evaluation not always trustworthy:
Professional responsibility to
continuously seek assistance:
professional mentors, trusted friends,
reading, discussion
c. Ethical decision-making requires
empathy (the Golden Rule) and
intellect.
iii. Why is it Naval officers’ duty to abide by and
enforce an ethical code of conduct?
1. Because we may have to lay down our lives
and those of the men and women we lead in
service to our nation. This is the hard
truth. This is the bottom line.
c. Vision for this course:
i. A Story: Where were you on September 11th, 2001?
I was serving as a Submarine Operations Officer
assigned to the Commander Destroyer Squadron TWO
FOUR. We were embarked on the DDG ROOSEVELT,
underway for Group Sail and preparing for some
simulated sub tracking exercises. I was on the
ASW watchfloor verifying exercise area overlays
were installed and getting my bearings. A
shipmate came rushing into the watchfloor to tell
us that two airliners had crashed into the WTC
North and South towers. That morning we were at
peace. Now, we were at war. Our role as
ii.
iii.
d. Case
i.
military leaders took on more significance as we
took the fight to the enemy to exact justice.
The following months and years would herald
testimonies of physical and moral courage,
selfless sacrifice, and ethical challenges faced
by troops in the field. Guiding us were our
principles as a Navy fighting force, and the
oaths each of us swore. Fueling us was a mixture
of resolve, the need for justice, anger.
Inspiring us was the vision laid out by our
president and Commander in Chief.
Vision for this course: To further strengthen
your foundation of leadership and ethical
principles and experiences that will serve as a
North star as you reason through circumstances
you will encounter in your careers, and life.
This is important because as Naval leaders, each
of you will be tested. Each of you will be
weighed and measured by your action, and by your
inaction. You will be watched by your juniors,
peers, and seniors alike. What standards of
conduct do you want to exhibit and uphold?
Expectations:
1. You get out what you put into it. We are
limited to one hour each week, and course
material covered in class will be condensed.
Do the readings before class, and
participate.
2. The success of this course relies on
interactive, fruitful dialogue – NOT my
lecturing ability!
3. Disagreement and debate is encouraged!
There is often more than one right answer.
Be respectful of each others views.
Study: Rescuing the Boat People (pp 13-15)
OK Captain, what do you do?
1. Provide supplies and medical aid, but do not
embark refugees. Notify Fleet BWC to
coordinate w/ nearest country coast guard.
2. Embark refugees, notify Fleet, and arrange
to xfer refugees to nearest accepting coast
guard.
3. Provide no aid or support, but radio
position to Fleet.
4. Do nothing.
ii. What do you think of the Captain’s interpretation
of Navy Regs, C7F, CPF OPORD directives?
iii. How does your calculus change if this had
occurred in the North Arabian Sea under our
current COVID pandemic?
iv. Article 98 (1) of the United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea 1982(UNCLOS) and SOLAS:
1. “ Every State shall require the master of a
ship flying its flag, in so far as he can do
so without serious danger to the ship, the
crew or the passengers: a)to render
assistance to any person found at sea in
danger of being lost; b)to proceed with all
possible speed to the rescue of persons in
distress, if informed of their need of
assistance, in so far as such action may
reasonably be expected of him.”
2. “Other international conventions iterate
this requirement and the attendant
limitation. Regulation V/33 of the
International Convention for the Safety of
Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS) imposes an
obligation on masters of vessels who are in
a position to provide assistance to do so.
Further, Chapter 2.1.10 of the International
Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue
1979 (SAR) obliges States Party to the
Convention to ensure that assistance is
provided to any person in distress at sea,
“regardless of the nationality or status of
such a person or the circumstances in which
that person is found”