OVERARCHING GOAL:

Graduates must demonstrate the moral/ethical attributes that are essential for effective leadership

The purpose of the Moral/Ethical Domain is to develop in cadets the moral/ethical foundation that is essential for commissioned officers.  As one of the six formal domains of the Cadet Leader Development System, the Moral/Ethical Domain helps to form the character of cadets, along with the Social Domain and the Domain of the Human Spirit.  Integrated with the other five domains, the Moral/Ethical Domain assists cadets in their journey to becoming commissioned leaders of character.  Leaders of character are defined as one who “seeks to discover the truth, decides what is right, and demonstrates the courage to act accordingly – always”.  The integrated character development experience at the U.S. Military Academy is essential to graduate the leaders of character that our Nation expects from West Point.

What Graduates Can Do

Graduates act morally and ethically in ordinary and fast moving, fluid, emotional, and complex situations.  They discover the right thing to do and act accordingly.  Graduates analyze rationally in making ethical responses to moral/ethical dilemmas, especially those common to the military profession.  Graduates routinely recognize the moral/ethical issues in their units, help soldiers in their units to learn and understand these issues, and draw upon a sound moral/ethical foundation in deciding the right way to act.

Objectives:

Graduates who:

1. Understand and demonstrate loyalty to the Constitution, the Army, the unit, superiors, subordinates, comrades and self;

• Describe the constitution and explain what it means
• Explain the tension between loyalty to the Constitution, the Army, the unit, superiors, subordinates, comrades, and self
• Make rational decisions on how to resolve a conflict of loyalties
• Demonstrate a respectful stance toward superiors, and an unwillingness to rush to judgment about the actions of superiors

2. Epitomize humility, self-effacement, and selfless service;

• Identify practices, values and attitudes that make it difficult for the organization to take full advantage of the diversity within its workforce.
• Identify the responsibilities of the leader with respect to observed practices and be able to reference specific policies and procedures that apply (eg sexual harassment and equal opportunity policies)
• Establish a command climate which allows each soldier to be treated with equality and dignity
• Treat others with dignity and respect.
• Give examples of and demonstrate selfless service

3. Assume ownership of professional values;

• Identify sources of personal challenge to overcome by living by the Army Values and develop and action plan to meet these challenges.
• Identify sources of personal challenge in assuming leadership roles
• Develop a professional identity statement that shows integration of personal and professional values; which includes commitments to healthy lifestyles, describes a vision for effective relations with peers and subordinates, and a commitment to selfless service.
• Describe an effective stance for giving and receiving supportive and corrective feedback on one’s performance.
• Live by both the spirit and words of the cadet Honor Code and Honor System

4. Live honorable an exhibit trustworthiness to do what they say they will do;

• Identify practices, values, and attitude in interaction with peers and subordinates that interfere with honorable living in the academic field and combat environments.
• Demonstrate consistent ability to meet requirements and commitments
• Live life as an integral whole, IAW the profession military ethic, 24/7
• Treat others with dignity and respect
• Live by both the spirit and words of the cadet Honor Code and Honor System

5. Can construct an ethical solution and take right actions in the midst of morally ambiguous situations;

• Describe the international laws that serve as a basis for the ethical/’humane conduct in warfare
• Understand challenges associated with the application of the law which serves as the basis for ethical/human conduct in war.
• Given hypothetical dilemmas that mirror problems drawn from real life, apply international law, Constitution law, and Military law to the resolution of the conflict and provide a rationale that meets criteria for a well-reasoned argument.

6. Demonstrate discipline and moral courage to take the right action in situations that challenge Army Values

• Given a hypothetical or real situation, identify sources of friction in competing Army values
• Given a situation with competing Army Values, adopt an ethical course of action.

7. Display respect for all people, their customs and property

• Seek to learn about, understand, and experience diverse cultures
• Recognize the innate value of all human beings
• Understand that diverse views present either opportunities for learning and growth or conflict

Domain Books:

(Place holder for Domain Books [attachments])