Moral Challenges

[Lee2015]

"How have you prepared yourself for the academic, physical, and moral challenges presented by a military service academy?"

This is one of the questions posed in Cornyn's nomination packet. My question is--What are the moral challenges presented by a military service academy?


In order to accurately respond to this question, I think it would help to know exactly what the "moral challenges" are.

We understand the physical and academic challenges.

Any help or advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Christcorp]

Start with the most "Basic" of moral challenges. "The Honor Code". No lying, cheating, stealing". That may seem basic and simple, but it goes to the heart and soul of the academies. Including, when you know someone else has broken the honor code, and depending on the circumstances, do you tell on that person. Hopefully the other cadets will make mention of this.

Then, go outside of the academy and think about in order to do your job and serve, are you willing to kill another person? Are you willing to ask others to kill another person? Are you willing to order someone to go into a situation where they might be killed. Anyway, that's a start.

 

[usna1985]

^^^^

Agree. Add to the above . . . being called on to participate in a war/action in which you may not personally believe; what to do with a comrade who has committed a war atrocity; how do you handle becoming a POW; what do you do if you have to decide between killing an "innocent" civilian and having your platoon/company/force potentially annihilated.

 

[flieger83]

SCENARIO

"You are the pilot of an air vehicle. You have tracked a group of insurgents to their ammo cache and are now observing them to be loading weapons, including IED's, into two pickup trucks. You are in perfect position to strike them with missile fire. They are in the company of several women and children, apparently known to these insurgents.

Do you prosecute the target, knowing that an accurate strike will kill EVERYONE there, including the women/children?"

This type situation brings together MANY aspects of moral values/beliefs/concerns that can be debated among folks for days/weeks/years.

FYI...if you think this is a "made up" scenario...you would be incorrect.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

 

[dpt135]

Not to be picky,but I was informed that I needed to know that Honor Code was for USMA and USAFA and that Honor Concept was for USNA, USMMA, and USCG. So, you are suppose to use the appropriate term with the corresponding academy.

 

[Lee2015]

Thank you everyone for the help.

 

[goldfarb1]

Not to be picky,but I was informed that I needed to know that Honor Code was for USMA and USAFA and that Honor Concept was for USNA, USMMA, and USCG. So, you are suppose to use the appropriate term with the corresponding academy.

Aren't they all essentially "A (insert midshipman, cadet, etc.) does not lie, cheat, steal nor tolerate those who do."

 

[d.mcknight]

Aren't they all essentially "A (insert midshipman, cadet, etc.) does not lie, cheat, steal nor tolerate those who do."

More or less. But a fun little tidbit I learned during my BGO interview....the difference between USNA and the other academies, is a Midshipman is supposed to carry out their own investigation in a matter of speaking.