1. Defining Moments
Ethics LTP E 1-3 (Rev. 8/17)

2. Training Objective Task Condition Standard
Recognize that defining moments in character/ethical development come early in professional experience
Examine concepts of rationalization & ethics/ethical creep
Consider how to approach future challenges – “what would you do” perspective
Condition
Given a block of instruction taught by company TAC or designee, including scenario analysis and small group discussions
Standard
Cadets successfully analyze the scenarios presented and list potential ethical issues in their own professions

3. Ethical Concepts
As a group of the whole, define the following concepts and discuss how they might apply to ethics:
Rationalization
“To invent plausible explanations for acts, opinions, etc., that are actually based on other causes” (dictionary.com)
Ethics/ethical creep
“How we reconcile what is considered moral and ethical today versus five, ten, or twenty years ago” (Kouzes, Biech, Posner, 2010, p. 82)
Dictionary.com. (2017). Retrieved from
Kouzes, J. M., Biech, E., & Posner, B. Z. (2010). The leadership challenge: Activities book. New York: Wiley.

4. Defining Moment Scenarios
Discuss and analyze the three scenarios on the following slides as a group of the whole.

5. Scenario I Mid-level executive unexpectedly invited to lunch by CEO
CEO fully aware of mid-level executive’s experience
Conversation going well
CEO observes mid-level executive hiding butter pats on his lunch tray to “avoid payment” for them
Tone of conversation changes
Unknown to mid-level executive, CEO intended to offer a promotion
Promotion opportunity gone
“Only a pat of butter”

6. Scenario I Analysis Who “loses” in this scenario?
Did mid-level executive’s decision impact growth potential?
Was stealing the butter a moral temptation or an ethical dilemma? Why?
Do you think the executive tried to “rationalize” his stealing of butter? How?
Was CEO fair in pulling promotion opportunity?
An unethical decision early in a professional career might create a career off-ramp

7. Scenario II
“Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said Thursday the number of nuclear missile launch officers under investigation for allegations of cheating has grown to 92 out of a force of The new total is nearly three times the initial 34 officers who were implicated in the scandal. The officers have been taken off their missile wing duties during the investigation into the cheating, which happened during a key proficiency exam, James said. The original officers in the probe, all assigned to the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, are accused of apparently texting answers to each other, or knew that the cheating was going on and didn’t report it, according to officials. James, who is the service's top civilian official, said Thursday that the nuclear force struggles with ‘undue stress and fear’ and suffers ‘systemic problems.’”
NBC New York. (2014). Air Force: 92 implicated in nuke cheating scandal. Retrieved from

8. Scenario II Analysis Who “loses” in this scenario?
Did the decisions by captains & lieutenants impact growth potential?
Was cheating on the exam a moral temptation or an ethical dilemma? Why?
Do you think this was their first cheating experience?
How does the concept of “ethics creep” apply?
An unethical decision early in a professional career might create a career off-ramp

9. Scenario III
“Back in September, two months before Christie's re-election, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey closed two of the three lanes that lead to the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, across the Hudson from Manhattan. That caused days of massive traffic jams in Fort Lee, where the Democratic mayor had declined to endorse Christie. The closures were ordered by David Wildstein, a Christie confidante and the governor's appointee to the Port Authority, which operates the nation's busiest bridge. They immediately sparked speculation that the action amounted to political retaliation against Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich…. Then came Wednesday's revelation that a top Christie aide had ed Wildstein before the closures, telling him, "Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee." In a lengthy news conference Thursday, Christie announced he had fired the author of that , deputy chief of staff Bridget Anne Kelly, and said he was "embarrassed and humiliated" by the "abject stupidity" of the move.”
Smith, M. (2014). Chris Christie bridge scandal: a primer. Retrieved from

10. Scenario III Analysis Who “loses” in this scenario?
Did the decision by Ms. Kelly impact growth potential?
Was revenge a moral temptation or an ethical dilemma? Why?
Why do you think Ms. Kelly resorted to revenge?
Would this be an example of “rationalization”?

11. Small Group Discussion
Get into small groups based on your major or profession.
Discuss/do the following:
What ethical challenges do we anticipate early in our careers? Make a list.
How do we respond to those challenges?
Present your ideas to the entire group.

12. Processing Questions
Discuss the following as a group of the whole after all small groups have presented:
Common themes in the small group reports?
What will first decisions say about us?
How/why is it helpful to anticipate potential ethical challenges?

13. Post Graduation Take-Aways
We may face ethical tests early in our chosen professions
How we respond might make all the difference in future opportunity in our careers
How we respond will prepare us for greater future challenges, which are inevitable
Being a principled leader
is a lifelong endeavor…& it starts early

14. Final Thought: Reagan on Character
"The character that takes command in moments of crucial choices has already been determined by a thousand other choices made earlier in seemingly unimportant moments. It has been determined by all the 'little' choices of the past--by all those times when the voice of conscience was at war with the voice of temptation, [which was] whispering the lie that 'it really doesn't matter.' It has been determined by all the day-to-day decisions made when life seemed easy and crises seemed far away.…”
– President Ronald Reagan
Reagan, R. (1993). Keepers of the peace [The Citadel commencement address]. Retrieved from

15. After Action Report
If you have comments about what you liked during today’s LTP, or suggestions for improvement, please submit those to the Assistant Commandant for Leadership Programs.