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- Nov 25, 2007
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- 9,295
Recently there seems to be a little confusion about the concept of "honor", especially as it applies to the US Military, ROTC and Service Academies.
First, as you will hear the most basic recruit at any training center spew, Honor is the only thing that cannot be taken from you. You have to give it away.
This is true. You hold your own honor. At CGA the saying was, "Who Lives Here Reveres Honor, Honors Duty. We neither lie, cheat, steal nor attempt to deceive."
The Coast Guard Academy does not have an "Honor Code" but an "Honor Concept", meaning if someone commits an honor offense and you know about it but don't report it, you yourself are not committing an honor offense, but a conduct offense.
Now, Lying, cheating and stealing are pretty cut and dry, we know what that means. It is the fourth concept, having read some of the conversations specifically on this base thread, that I want to hit. In this, you have to read into the "spirit" of the concept. Attempting to deceive; it's finding that gray area and trying to exploit it. Some may call it using strategy. Attempting to deceive will work on Survivor but in the military it is a danagerous game to play. In the future, as an officer, you tell half-truths to "cover up" something you may not be proud of, or a stance on an issue that may not be popular, it will come back to bite you. I've seen enough cadets walk out the door because they thought their little trick would benefit them. Their inability to uphold their honor led them to disenrollment (which does not look good on a transcript to another college).
If the hairs on your neck stand up and you're stumbling over your words because you're not sure if what you're saying will "work" with that person, it may be a clear indication an alternate method should be sought.
I use the Coast Guard Academy example, because that is what I am familiar with, however, I will say that the commissioning sources are only the first step. They harp on honor, not because it is important only at the academy or college ROTC program you are attending, but instead because of what will be asked of you after you walk across that stage and pin on those butter bars. Honor is important then because you have men and women's lives riding on the fact that you may need to make the right decision for them.
Maintaining your honor is not important because it gives you a nice warm and fuzzy, but because you will be serving your country, and it is your responsibility, having been entrusted by them (and their tax dollars), to carry out your duty in an honorable way. It is the utmost importance to maintain this trust between the people of the United States and those who have elected to defend it.
First, as you will hear the most basic recruit at any training center spew, Honor is the only thing that cannot be taken from you. You have to give it away.
This is true. You hold your own honor. At CGA the saying was, "Who Lives Here Reveres Honor, Honors Duty. We neither lie, cheat, steal nor attempt to deceive."
The Coast Guard Academy does not have an "Honor Code" but an "Honor Concept", meaning if someone commits an honor offense and you know about it but don't report it, you yourself are not committing an honor offense, but a conduct offense.
Now, Lying, cheating and stealing are pretty cut and dry, we know what that means. It is the fourth concept, having read some of the conversations specifically on this base thread, that I want to hit. In this, you have to read into the "spirit" of the concept. Attempting to deceive; it's finding that gray area and trying to exploit it. Some may call it using strategy. Attempting to deceive will work on Survivor but in the military it is a danagerous game to play. In the future, as an officer, you tell half-truths to "cover up" something you may not be proud of, or a stance on an issue that may not be popular, it will come back to bite you. I've seen enough cadets walk out the door because they thought their little trick would benefit them. Their inability to uphold their honor led them to disenrollment (which does not look good on a transcript to another college).
If the hairs on your neck stand up and you're stumbling over your words because you're not sure if what you're saying will "work" with that person, it may be a clear indication an alternate method should be sought.
I use the Coast Guard Academy example, because that is what I am familiar with, however, I will say that the commissioning sources are only the first step. They harp on honor, not because it is important only at the academy or college ROTC program you are attending, but instead because of what will be asked of you after you walk across that stage and pin on those butter bars. Honor is important then because you have men and women's lives riding on the fact that you may need to make the right decision for them.
Maintaining your honor is not important because it gives you a nice warm and fuzzy, but because you will be serving your country, and it is your responsibility, having been entrusted by them (and their tax dollars), to carry out your duty in an honorable way. It is the utmost importance to maintain this trust between the people of the United States and those who have elected to defend it.
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