Critique of code of ethics

Necessity of the Department of Navy’s of Ethic’s: The importance of the Department of Navy, of Ethics can be summed up in the words of Donald C. Winter, Secretary of the Navy, ” It is essential that all Department of the Navy personnel adhere to the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. The American people put their trust in us and none of us can betray that trust.” (The Department of Navy Legal Community, Department of the Navy)
A written code of ethics serves as a guide in helping to determine what actions are unethical, and what are ethical and prescribed by the code. Thus the navy’ s code of ethics serves as the link between ambiguity and accountability. Finally, it promotes leadership qualities and the concept to lead by example, which is necessary for any successful naval officer.
Strengths of the Code of Ethics: –
1. Instills in the Navy the love for the country and its laws, and is against corruption of all forms.
2. Reminds the Navy, that all people all are to be treated equally.
3. Promotes giving all our efforts towards the completion of a task, to the best of one’s ability.
4. Reminds the Navy is not above the law and still has to pay taxes and comply with the law.
5. Teaches us that public property must be protect and preserved.
6. Not only against corruption, but emphasizes on reporting corruption to the appropriate authorities.
7. Promotes honesty, righteousness and only making a commitment or have financial interests or jobs when it doesn’t conflict with the government duties.
Navy’s Code of Ethics Guide an Individual’s Professional Conduct by: –
1. Compelling the individual to reflect on the ethical values and their ramifications.
2. Consider other applicable moral principles.
3. Reflect upon appropriate ethical theories.
4. Commit to and implement the best ethical solution.
5. Maintain excellent ethics with constant vigilance, good training and education and a willingness to make the tough call because it is the right thing to do.
6. Helping to maintain a strong tradition that requires ethical, honest and truthful conduct.
7. Acting in the best interest of the Department of Navy and the nation, without regard to personal consequences.
The Navy’s Code of Ethics In Our Professional Lives: –
The department of the navy code of ethics, universal in nature and we can all apply it in our daily lives. The navy’s code of ethics teaches us that one must also consider, whether our action sets the right example and if it is the honorable thing to do. It teaches us to consider the general welfare first, rather than our personal welfare. It also guides us to be law-biding citizens and pay our taxes. It asks us to avoid anything illegal or unethical or corrupt. It prevents us from being racist to others and teaches us to protect public property. It teaches us to choose: the best man for the job, and thus avoid bribes. Finally, it teaches us to promote fairness, trust and personal accountability.
List of References: –
1. The Department of Navy Legal Community, Department of the Navy:
http://ethics. navy. mil
2. Brennan, Joseph G., Ethics Instruction in the Military: Teach Them Plato or Hammer It into Their Heads, 1989
3. Stockdale, James B. The Teaching of Ethics in the Military, 1982
4. Rosenthal, Joel H. Today’s Officer Corps: A Repository of Virtue in an Anarchic World, 1997
5. Ross, Bruce A. The Case for Targeting Leadership in War, 1993