What would you do? Cadets weigh in on ethical dilemmas

  • Published
  • By Amber Baillie
  • Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Senior cadets, special operations officers and Academy leaders took part in a roundtable discussion on ethical decision-making at the Academy Center Enrichment Seminar Feb. 7 in Doolittle Hall.

Eight special operations captains from Kirtland and Cannon Air Force Bases, Academy active-duty Airmen and Air Force retirees shared ethical dilemmas they've experienced in their personal and professional lives with about 70 cadets, to engage in reflective conversation, focus on character and leadership, and identify the pressures that make ethical action challenging.

"The point of today is for cadets to think deeply and critically about their decision-making process and recognize the testable moments, big and small, that align with who they need to be and are trying to be as officers," said Lt. Col. Kevin Basik, assistant director of cadet development from the Center for Character and Leadership Development.

During the seminar, cadets were briefed on an Awareness, Reasoning, Decision and Action model to help guide them through ethical decision-making. During the ACES scenario session, cadets rotated to a new table every 25 minutes to listen to a facilitator's moral dilemma and then articulate their thoughts and opinions on how they'd respond to the situation. Dilemmas involved military relationships, leadership, taking care of fellow wingmen, national security and more.

"The point of today, as you leave this place, is hopefully we've instilled in you a bit of moral character," said Lt. Col. Brad Oliver, the 557th Flying Training Squadron commander and a session facilitator. "These are decisions you have to make personally, before you put yourself in such a situation. They're the kind of situations you might be in regardless of your career field."
The eight-hour seminar is a graduation requirement for cadets and culminates their character and leadership journey.

"The facilitators seemed prepared," said Cadet 1st Class Everette Richardson. "I didn't get the impression they just 'Googled' good leadership scenarios and then figured out how to teach them. It seemed they designed the scenarios based on their own collective experiences. They were real-life situations which brought a realistic feel."

According to the Academy's Character and Leadership Division's website, more than 900 volunteer mentors relate valuable character and leadership lessons as they facilitate discussions with cadets during approximately 200 seminars each year.

"We also provide opportunities for cadets to interact with senior leaders and the Academy's Board of Visitors during events such as CORONA," Basik said. "We'd like to expand on these opportunities because both the active-duty Air Force and cadets can benefit from them."

During the session, Oliver asked cadets: At what point should your leadership be aware of unethical behavior?

"You have to consider, 'What is at stake?'" he said. "Is it a threat to national security? The needs of our Air Force and security of our nation is critical."

The seminar lasted the entire day and Richardson said he found every piece of it applicable.

"I liked the pace of the session," he said. "When we asked clarifying questions for the scenarios, the facilitators provided us answers right away. They didn't have to look up anything. I feel that the level of preparation and ability to keep the session at a good pace really kept us engaged."