U . S . N AVA L A C A D E M Y A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N A N D F O U N D AT I O N
2021–2022 IMPACT REPORT:
STOCKDALE CENTER FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR As the Nation, Naval Academy and Stockdale Center have emerged from the lock-down of a global pandemic, efforts to reinvigorate traditional in-person offerings in ethical leader development were redoubled. The Center’s staff is back to its traditional roles of working directly with faculty, Bancroft Hall staff, Midshipman leaders, coaches and their teams, and virtually every community across the Yard. With the adoption of the Academy’s new 10-year strategic plan, we have a solid basis upon which to align our research, programming and assessment efforts. We’ve begun that alignment process by selecting the research topic “Character Development and Assessment.” Efforts are underway to build a community of practice around this important topic with our sister service academies and universities around the country. As importantly, we’ve connected with key stakeholders across the Naval Academy to ensure best practices in programming and consistency in assessment. Despite some of these new strategic initiatives, we have learned a great deal from the pandemic. At the time of the publication of this report the Center has: •
Created 190 discreet podcasts, 12 immersive/interactive case studies for use with smart phones, and placed QR codes throughout the Yard to access educational materials.
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Reaffirmed our collaborative relationship with universities around the world and across the street (see the portion on the ‘rebirth’ of the Socratic Society in cooperation with St. John’s College).
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Hosted professional development programming for more than 200 members of the Academy’s faculty, staff and coaches.
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Impacted every member of the Brigade of Midshipman with guest lectures, curricular support and special events related to ethical leader development.
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Formalized an advanced, searchable web presence that is used by leadership and ethics researchers around the world.
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Established thorough training and support programs for Diversity Peer Educators, a particularly timely contribution considering the polarized state of our national conversation about race.
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Expanded the world’s premier military ethics conference—the annual McCain Conference—by attracting an unprecedented global audience online.
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Solidified the Naval Academy as the most consistently accomplished team in national ethics case competitions. These competitions range from engineering ethics to business ethics to military ethics.
It is all these reasons and more that make me incredibly proud to be part of the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership. However, it’s the professional dedication of the team itself that gives the Stockdale Center its well-earned reputation for excellence. The following pages are a mere overview of the incredible work done by the staff, contracted support personnel and volunteers associated the VADM James B. Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership. None of this important work would have been possible without the support of a wide variety of very generous donors. I look forward to getting back to meeting our donors in-person in the coming year to express my most heartfelt gratitude. Thank you, Dr. Joseph J. Thomas
The Roger and Linda Tetrault Director of The Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership
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STOCKDALE CENTER FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
STOCKDALE CENTER FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
PRIVATELY FUNDED STOCKDALE CENTER STAFF AND FACULTY: The Roger and Linda Tetrault Stockdale Center Director
DR. JOSEPH J. THOMAS
The Robert and Mary M. Looker Stockdale Center Deputy Director
DR. JEFFREY MACRIS
SUMMARY
The Distinguished Chair of Leadership
LIEUTENANT GENERAL JOHN WISSLER, USMC (RET.)
The mission of the Stockdale Center is to empower leaders to make courageous ethical decisions. The Center’s primary audience is the Naval Academy community—midshipmen, staff, faculty and coaches—yet the Center also shares ethical leadership insights with influential national and
Class of 1965 Distinguished Chair in Ethics
DR. DAVID LUBAN
Timothy and Susanne Sullivan Director of Influencer Development
international leaders and organizations. The Center’s vision is to become
DR. CELESTE RAVER LUNING
the world’s “go to” ethical leadership center and provide a hub for ethical
Volgenau Director of Strategy and Research
DR. ED BARRETT
leadership thought, education, innovation and inspiration.
Director, Boeing Leadership Innovation Lab
The Center accomplishes its mission through:
MICHAEL SEARS ’78
•
RESEARCH: identifying and studying the most important emerging ethical leadership issues
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Distinguished Chair of Leadership
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CONSULTATION: consulting with senior leaders—internal and external to the Academy—to assist in tackling complex ethical leadership issues
The Class of 1958 Resident Fellow
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INNOVATION: developing innovative products that provide new ways to strengthen and accelerate the ethical leadership development process
•
DISSEMINATION: disseminating concepts, principles and ideas through lectures, published materials and the web
•
FACILITATION: facilitating access to people, programs and experiences that assist leaders to reflect on the moment of ethical decision
•
OVERSIGHT: assisting the Superintendent with the integration and alignment of all Academy leadership, character and ethics programs and activities
MR. BRIAN KAMOIE
DR. RICHARD DEAN
Class of 1962 Resident Fellow
DR. JOVANA DAVIDOVIC Class of 1973 Fred Minier Resident Ethics Fellow
DR. PATRICK SMITH
Donald S. Freeman, Jr. Resident Ethics Fellow
DR. LEONARD KAHN
The Resilient Warrior Fellow
DANIEL LUNA
GOVERNMENT FUNDED STOCKDALE CENTER STAFF AND FACULTY: Deputy Director for Ethics & Senior SEAL
CAPTAIN FRANK G. FRANKY, USN Senior Associate Director
CAPTAIN TASYA LACY, USN Associate Director
MAJOR DESIREE SANCHEZ, USMC Associate Director
LCDR LOREN CRONE, CHAPLAIN, USN Associate Director
DR. SHAUN BAKER Senior Staff Associate/Event Planner/Education Technician/ Travel Administrator
MS. KARIN ORNBERG
Financial Management Analyst
MS. SARAH WHITE
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2021–2022 IMPACT REPORT
BOEING LEADERSHIP INNOVATION LABORATORY
In 2022, the Lab continues to focus on three (3) major initiatives:
The Boeing Leadership Innovation Laboratory, located
AUGMENTED REALITY AND SIMULATION
in the Naval Academy’s Stockdale Center for Ethical
Midshipmen use their mobile devices to enter a portal
Leadership, explores, discovers, develops, tests and
that takes them through various lessons, dilemmas and
implements cutting-edge theories, concepts, practices
vignettes. It is also used in class as a presentation tool
and methodologies to ensure that the Naval Academy
to walk students through the exercises. We continue to
graduates Navy and Marine Corps leaders prepared to
introduce new material for classroom and “off-the-Yard”
protect the peace and win the nation’s wars in the 21st
instruction. To date, our library includes:
century. The Lab addresses the challenge of preparing
•
The Switchman—a simulation of the classic “Trolley Problem”
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Dark Waters Rising—ethical dilemma during a collision at sea
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Maritime Security Operations—decision making involving weapons smuggling and human trafficking
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Tactical Interrogation—lessons in interrogation and torture
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Allyship—Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
•
Cultural Competence—lessons in decision making while travelling in foreign countries
new generations of leaders who absorb, process and use information for making decisions and providing direction to others in a much different way than generations before them.
VISION Become the world’s premier leadership innovation lab. A place recognized by the Navy and Marine Corps for the contributions the Laboratory makes to develop the finest young naval leaders for the Fleet and Fleet Forces. A place where military, government, corporate, educational, athletic and non-profit organizations come to learn how the Naval Academy delivers the most comprehensive, creative and effective leadership development program in the world.
Dr. Joseph J. Thomas, The Roger and Linda Tetrault Director of The Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership
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STOCKDALE CENTER FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
In 2022, we published Four (4) new titles:
Philosophy at the Movies, led by Dr. Shaun Baker of the
•
The USS District of Columbia—submarine warfare and speaking truth to power
Stockdale Center, ties the philosophical implications of
•
Artificial Intelligence in the South China Sea—a multi-part simulation that introduces students to the capabilities and limitations of AI’s inclusion in the OODA loop on the battlefield
philosophical concepts through the arc of the narrative,
•
•
actions and situations through the vehicle of international cinema. Popular movies are presented, with intriguing choices the characters make as they face dilemmas and through the inner dialogue of the characters. Movies discussed include Saving Private Ryan, 7 Days in May and Unbreakable, as well as Unforgiven, 2001: A Space
Leave No One Behind—ethical dilemma of committing additional personnel and assets to a search and rescue mission
Odyssey and It’s a Wonderful Life. The Lab has also created a three (3) podcast series that can be used in Bancroft Hall, as well as in the classroom:
No Dejes a Nadie Atrás—Leave No One Behind, Spanish language version
•
RadioStockdale is a number of short discussions, led
The Oath, the Bill of Rights and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The series is meant to remind Midshipmen about the connections between the U.S. Bill of Rights and the Uniform Code of Military Justice and how the oath of office they took on I-Day
by the Lab director, with key guests who have deep
connects them to both. https://www.stockdalecenter.
knowledge of subject matter relating to the ethical,
com/lessons/the-oath/
PODCASTS
leadership, character and legal implications of everyday
•
things that affect the lives of future Naval Warriors. The podcast has targeted discussions in Ethics, Honor, Trust, Courage, Resilience, Diversity and Sleep, to name a few.
The New NE203. Moral Reasoning for Naval Leaders is an ethics course required of all Midshipmen. Recently, the class was thoroughly overhauled so that it focuses less on moral theorizing and more on moral perception, moral deliberation and moral formation— all in order to prepare Midshipmen to lead Sailors and
Stockdale Interactive: Leave No One Behind
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2021–2022 IMPACT REPORT
•
Marines in harm’s way. This podcast series surveys a most innovative way to deliver ethics education, one that has no parallel in any other academic institution. It has been directly assigned in class by some faculty in the ‘Youngster’ Ethics course. https://www.usna. edu/Ethics/programs/BoeingLab/RadioStockdale/ STOCKDALE_MINUTE/The_New_NE203.php
DIGITAL STRATEGY
The Honor Series. The Honor Concept formalizes the requirement for Midshipmen to demonstrate integrity while refusing to lie, cheat or steal. This six-part series is for and by Midshipmen. It is a tool to better understand the principles of the Honor Concept of the Brigade of Midshipmen. It has been mandated as instructional material for the Brigade Honor team, and it is used in Bancroft Hall during professional training of Midshipmen. https://www.usna.edu/ Ethics/programs/BoeingLab/RadioStockdale/ STOCKDALE_MINUTE/The_Bond_HONOR.php
Those products are primarily optimized for mobile devices,
The Stockdale Center and the Boeing Leadership Innovation Laboratory has produced a customer facing web-presence. The web site is primarily a products distribution strategy. We use an online means for delivering our products and services to our customers.
for use outside the classroom. StockdaleCenter.com is the primary entry point for Blogs, Newsletters, published research, etc. As such, this is the “Amazon.com” of the Stockdale Center. It is slick, searchable and “instrumented for analytics”. Every asset on the site will be trackable in such a way that we can see and assess what our customers are doing on the site. The content is cataloged to include easy, searchable access to Stockdale Center research, events, interactive scenarios and podcasts. McCain Conferences beginning
All of the podcasts are available online for streaming and
with 2010, “New Warriors and Weapons: The Ethics of
download, including distributions from Apple Podcast,
Emerging Military Technologies” are available on-line, as
Google Podcast, Spotify, Podcast Attic, Stitcher, iHeart
well as the Volgenau Seminar series. Moreover, internal
Radio and others. As of May 2022, we have produced
and external Conversations, Point Papers and Debates
over 185 podcast episodes, and there are nearly 60,000
covering ethical leadership issues relevant to military
“listens”, with listeners on six continents.
operations, national security and domestic politics are available to Midshipmen, Faculty and Staff, as well as
Attendees of the 2022 McCain Conference —“The Ethics of Military Artificial Intelligence (AI)”
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STOCKDALE CENTER FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
academics, government research and policy experts and
at USNA. This enables the interest group to request specialized programing designed for their specific needs. In Spring 2022, the Director of Influencer Development provided two workshops to interest groups. One workshop centered on evaluating and shifting organizational culture with 35 attendees. The other workshop centered on understanding individuals on the team in order to optimize team performance. This workshop had eight attendees; it capitalized on team members’ results from individual CliftonStrengths assessments, evaluating shared strengths of the team and their collective gaps to develop strategies for performance.
the general public.
INFLUENCER DEVELOPMENT The Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership’s Influence the Influencer initiative focuses on developing the leader developers at USNA—the faculty, coaches, administrators and staff. These key influencers are pivotal toward fulfilling the Naval Academy’s mission of developing midshipmen morally, mentally and physically. The Influence the Influencer initiative offers a variety of collaborative, experiential and research-based leadership opportunities with the primary objective of aligning key influencers
•
BROWN BAG LUNCH SERIES—In March 2022, the Director of Influencer Development hosted the first of a brown bag lunch series for USNA faculty, staff and coaches titled “Bringing the Fleet to USNA.” The goal of this series is to provide faculty, staff and coaches with an opportunity to hear about leadership in the fleet. The speaker at the first brown bag was CAPT Dave Pollard, the prospective Commanding Officer for the George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), who took over as the Commanding Officer in May 2022. CAPT Pollard is a 1996 USNA grad, a F/A-18 pilot and served as the Commanding Officer for the Mount Whitney. The brown bag had approximately 30 attendees with approximately 60% civilian faculty and staff and the remainder either active duty or retired military. CAPT Pollard’s talk centered on how faculty, staff and coaches can translate leadership lessons from the fleet into their interactions with midshipmen to prepare them for their future as Naval officers. Influence the Influencer plans to host one brown bag per semester.
•
PROFESSORS AT SEA—The Professors at Sea program is an opportunity for civilian faculty to gain a better understanding of the fleet and serves as a bridge for civilian faculty to connect lessons from the fleet in the classroom. Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) has approved a three-year pilot program for USNA to send faculty members to a nuclear aircraft carrier (CVN) each semester. The program highlights the importance of building lessons in every classroom that relate to the experiences that midshipmen will face in the fleet. Further, the program highlights and provides real-time examples of what leadership looks like and how it is discussed in the fleet. The Stockdale
toward their fulfillment of the Naval Academy mission. There are three pedagogical focal areas in developing these influencers—developing their individual leader competencies, building their organizational leadership capabilities and developing them as leader developers who understand how to generate and support future Naval officers. Dr. Celeste Raver Luning took over the role as the Timothy and Susanne Sullivan Director of Influencer Development in late January 2022 after an extensive search following the retirement of Rear Admiral Alan T. “Blues” Baker, CHC, USN (Ret.) in September of 2021. As the new Director begins the academic year 2022–2023, there is anticipation of greatly expanded Influence the Influencer programs. •
•
DEVELOPING A COACHING CULTURE—In response to the United States Navy’s initiative to develop a coaching culture, MyNavy Coaching, the Stockdale Center through the Influence the Influencer program has focused on educating faculty, staff and athletic coaches on the basic tenets of leadership coaching. There are two specific programs that have emerged from this focus: (1) Coaching Skills for Bancroft Hall and (2) Coaching Skills for Leaders in Higher Education through Georgetown University. DEVELOPMENTAL WORKSHOPS FOR INFLUENCER GROUPS—One of the goals of the new Director of Influencer Development is to provide specialized workshops to various interest groups (academic departments, athletics, support entities)
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2021–2022 IMPACT REPORT
Center through the Influence the Influencer programs sent 15 faculty members onboard the George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) in January 2022 for the first trip. The group went aboard the CVN-77 the morning of 24 January prior to the ship getting underway. Due to weather issues in the area, they were afforded the opportunity to spend two nights aboard (to facilitate seeing flight ops) before they boarded a C-2 for the return to Norfolk. During their 48 hours aboard the CVN the faculty had a chance to interact with LDOs, SWOs, SWO-Ns, Aviators, in addition to multiple members of the ship’s company. They witnessed multiple ship evolutions (including but not limited to a GQ, Flight OPS and FOD walkdown). They had a formal dinner with some of the HODs and BIGXO. They had breakfast in the Chiefs Mess with CMC and some of his Deck Plate Leaders. They also had multiple meals in WR3 where they had candid conversations with members of the ship’s wardroom. •
follower engagement. It provides relevant, actionable and practical tools to maximize leader and team performance. CliftonStrengths is a web-based assessment tool identifying signature strengths. To support Stockdale’s initiatives, USNA currently has three Gallup-certified CliftonStrengths coaches. These coaches provide one-on-one and group coaching to individuals and teams once they have completed the CliftonStrengths Assessment. The Director of Influencer Development as well as at least one other Stockdale team member will be getting CliftonStrengths certified during the summer of 2022 which will expand the ability to provide Strengths based coaching. •
GALLUP ACCESS AND CLIFTONSTRENGTHS— The Influence the Influencer programs continue to provide support to departments and cost centers with Gallup Access and CliftonStrengths assessments and coaching. Gallup Access is a highly respected survey platform built upon the valued and renowned Gallup Q12 assessment that is designed to optimize
CARNEGIE FOUNDATION’S ELECTIVE CLASSIFICATION IN LEADERSHIP FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE—The Carnegie Elective Classification in Leadership for a Public Purpose will provide colleges and universities public recognition of their institutional work in the development of leadership abilities and the understanding of leadership as a public good within its student body and additional institutional stakeholders. The classification will be issued for the first time in 2024. The Stockdale Center leadership, with the Director of Influencer Development as lead, will apply for this
Sea Program participants on board the George H. W. Bush (CVN-77)
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STOCKDALE CENTER FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
classification. USNA leadership has agreed this is an important step for the institution and the Director of Influencer development has taken the initial steps to begin the application process. The majority of the work on completing the application process will begin during the academic year 2022–2023. •
program designed for cooperation between EuroAtlantic partner countries and NATO, allowing partners to build a relationship with NATO. Dr. Raver Luning has contributed to the development of 14 sections of the LERC using her expertise in organizational leadership, organizational culture and resilience as the basis for the curriculum in the sections she has developed.
STOCKDALE CENTER ASSOCIATE FELLOWS—One of the pinnacle Influence the Influencer programs, the Stockdale Associate Fellows was on hiatus this year as the new Director of Influencer Development was hired and took over the role. The Stockdale Associate Fellows program will return in fall 2022. As the program gets underway, there are few adjustments to the purpose and focus in an effort to better invest in the development of USNA’s leader developers. The purpose of the new Stockdale Associate Fellow program will be to invest in the leadership development of faculty, administrators, staff and coaches at the Naval Academy by broadening their understanding of themselves as leaders, develop their leadership capabilities and enhance their leadership development skills. There are four broad goals of the program. •
Enhance the Fellow’s knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes as a leader.
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Expand the Fellow’s leadership capabilities (interpersonal aspects of leading) through a combination of cognitive development and experiential leadership opportunities.
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Foster the Fellow’s understanding of how they can serve as a key Influencer by acting as a leader and leadership developer within their sphere of influence.
•
•
TEACHING—The Director of Influencer Development was involved in the educational mission of USNA by teaching NL310: Leadership Theory and Applications to 2/C midshipmen. Prior to moving into the role of Director of Influencer Development, Dr. Raver Luning served as the curriculum advisor to this course. In her role as ITI Director, she continued to advise the cadre of NL310 instructors during their weekly course meetings and in one-on-one mentoring sessions. She also continued to advise and worked closely with the NL310 Course Director on curriculum matters.
•
RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS—The Director of Influencer Development is an active researcher. She publishes in leadership and organizational journals and presents at national and international conferences. Since January 2022, she has published one book chapter and two academic articles. She will present at the International Leadership Association Conference in October 2022 with new research focused on developing the leadership developer built off work that she is doing in her role as Director of Influencer Development.
RESEARCH The Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership undertakes efforts to ensure that faculty and staff are integral partners in the development of the Brigade’s leadership, character
Provide connections with other leadership developers (faculty, staff and coaches) throughout the Naval Academy.
and ethics. The Center annually selects a diverse group of faculty from within the Academy and outside as visiting Fellows. The Fellows are provided opportunity to do
•
research in the fields of leadership, character development
LEADERSHIP AND ETHICS REFERENCE CURRICULUM: PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE— The Director of Influencer Development has been a participant of the development of a Leadership and Ethics Reference Curriculum (LERC) for the Partnership for Peace prior to moving into her role. She has continued to contribute to this initiative as the ITI Director. The Partnership for Peace is a
and ethics, as well as the opportunity to teach in the Naval Academy’s core leadership and/or ethics courses. RESIDENT FELLOWS The Resident Fellows program is a unique and multidisciplinary effort that brings together academics and
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2021–2022 IMPACT REPORT
military professionals to study a specific topic in the field
(CAPPE) in Canberra, Australia. Her research focuses
of military ethics and leadership. This topic then becomes
on military ethics and philosophy of international law
the theme for the annual McCain Conference. The topic
and has been published in venues such as Ethical Theory
for 2021–2022 was “The Ethics of Military Artificial
and Moral Practice, Journal of Military Ethics, Ethics
Intelligence.”
and International Affairs, Journal of Applied Ethics and others. Her research and publications span a range of
The Fellows met for a weekly seminar, hosted guest
issues, including humanitarian military interventions,
speakers, conducted independent and joint research,
proportionality in war, ethics of displacement, ethics
traveled to meet with other experts in the field, published
of AI, algorithmic auditing, the changing character
their findings in journals and books, produced materials for
of war, universal jurisdiction, transitional justice and
the Naval Academy curriculum, taught core and elective
others. Davidovic has also worked extensively as an
courses to the Midshipmen and made presentations at the
ethics consultant, in a range of industries including
Academy and other national and international forums.
large international banks, Big Four professional service firms, ed-tech and tech firms, as well as humanitarian organizations around the world, most recently serving as
DONALD S. FREEMAN, JR. RESIDENT ETHICS FELLOW— DR. LEONARD KAHN
the Chief Ethics Officer for BABL AI, an algorithmic bias auditing and ethics consultancy. Her ethics consulting
Leonard Kahn is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at
work includes organizational ethics and organizational
Loyola University New Orleans. His teaching and research
culture assessment and advising, ethical decision-making
are primarily in moral theory and applied ethics. He is
framework building and ethical risk assessments, with a
especially interested in the intersection between just war
focus on ethical risk assessment for use and development
theory and the ethics of technology. He has edited three
of algorithms.
books (Mill on Justice, Consequentialism and Environmental Ethics, and Mill’s ‘On Liberty’). His articles have been published in Philosophical Studies;
THE CLASS OF 1958 RESIDENT FELLOW— DR. RICHARD DEAN
Ethical Theory and Moral Practice; The Journal of Moral
Richard Dean is a Professor of Philosophy at California
Philosophy; Ethics, Policy, and Environment, Southwest
State University Los Angeles. He received his PhD from
Philosophical Studies; Essays in Philosophy and Theoretical
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and taught
and Applied Ethics, and he has published book chapters in
at Rutgers University and the American University of
volumes by Oxford University Press, Springer, Routledge,
Beirut before taking his current position. His main areas of
Brill, Palgrave Macmillan, Blackwell, Open Court, Vernon
research include Kant’s ethics, contemporary normative
and Broadview. His book reviews (some of which
moral theory and various areas of applied ethics, including
were co-written with his Loyola undergraduates) have
an emergent interest in the ethics of AI. He also has
appeared in the journals Ethics, Philosophy in Review and
interests in experimental philosophy, social justice and
Metapsychology.
political philosophy. His book, The Value of Humanity in Kant’s Moral Theory and a co-edited collection, Respect: Philosophical Essays, were published with Oxford University
CLASS OF 1962 RESIDENT FELLOW— DR. JOVANA DAVIDOVIC
Press. He has contributed several chapters to volumes by invitation, and has published articles in journals such
Jovana Davidovic (PhD, University of Minnesota, 2011) is
as Bioethics, Pacific Philosophical Quarterly, Utilitas, Journal
an Associate Professor of Philosophy at University of Iowa,
of the History of Philosophy, Social Theory and Practice and
where she also holds a complimentary appointment at
Kantian Review.
the Law School and the Center for Human Rights. Prior to joining Iowa in 2012, Davidovic was doing post-doctoral work at Center for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics
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STOCKDALE CENTER FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
McCAIN CONFERENCE
CLASS OF 1973 FRED MINIER RESIDENT ETHICS FELLOW—DR. PATRICK SMITH
The 2022 McCain Conference examined one of the
Patrick Taylor Smith is Assistant Professor (with tenure)
most pressing issues facing advanced militaries across
of Ethics and Technology in the Department of Philosophy
the globe: “The Ethics of Military Artificial Intelligence
at the University of Twente. Before coming to the
(AI).” On the one hand, rapidly developing AI-based
Netherlands, Patrick was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the
systems for planning, intelligence, logistics and even strike
McCoy Center for Ethics in Society at Stanford University
functions promise to enhance mission effectiveness and
and Assistant Professor of Political Science and Global
force protection while reducing personnel costs. On the
Studies at the National University of Singapore. He works
other hand, these systems are untested in real-world
primarily in social and political philosophy, with a specific
scenarios and serious doubts remain about whether
focus on the intersection between global justice and
they could comply with jus in bello imperatives, whether
emerging climate technologies where his work has been
anyone could be fairly held responsible for their rights
awarded the Jonathan Trejo-Mathys essay prize. He also
violations, whether their human overseers could overcome
has a research focus in the application of just war theory
automation bias and whether it would be unjust for even
to emerging military technologies, especially cyberwarfare
an aggressor to be killed by a machine. The conference
and lethal autonomous weapon systems. His work can
was the first to generate a mutually-enriching dialogue
be found in such journals as the The Monist, Journal of
between military AI practitioners—from industry, the Joint
Applied Philosophy, Ethics and Information Technology and
Staff, all the U.S. services and key foreign militaries—and
others. His book Climate Revolution: The Ethics of Radical
ethicists. The conferences proceedings will be published in
Environmental Action, under contract at Oxford University
late 2022 in Frontiers, an influential open-access journal,
Press, is due to be out in the summer of 2023.
as a book entitled Ethical Challenges in AI-enhanced Military Operations. The two-day, 23-speaker event included 140 attendees, including midshipmen, USNA faculty and
Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael S. Groen, director, Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, gives the keynote address at the 21st Annual McCain Conference
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2021–2022 IMPACT REPORT
staff and faculty from other military academies, staff/war
1,000 midshipmen and friends of the Naval Academy in
colleges and civilian universities.
August 2021. Full screenings are tentatively scheduled for Navy League locations around the country in late 2022.
Speakers included the Director of the Joint Artificial
The movie will be televised nationally in October 2022 and
Intelligence Center and experts from: Headquarters U.S.
followed by a series of events commemorating the 50th
Marine Corps, US Navy Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force,
anniversary of the release of prisoners from the Hoa Lo
U.S. Army AI Integration Center, Georgetown University,
(Hanoi Hilton) prison.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of Iowa, University of Florida, Georgetown University Law, Peace
VICE ADMIRAL WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE ETHICS ESSAY AWARD DINNER
Research Institute OSLO (PRIO), University of Virginia, University of Southern Denmark, University of Portsmouth,
On 30 September the 63rd Superintendent of the Naval
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA),
Academy, Vice Admiral Sean Buck and his spouse, Mrs.
Duke University, US Army War College, Loyola University
Joanne Buck, hosted the Annual Vice Admiral Lawrence
New Orleans, California State University Los Angeles and
Ethics Essay Award Dinner. In previous years, midshipmen
University of Twente.
were recognized for the best essay paper in every NE 203: Ethics and Moral Reasoning for the Naval Officer Course
SPECIAL PROGRAMS & AWARDS
(spring and fall terms); however, over the course of the
POW: PASSING ON WISDOM FILM PROJECT
the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD)
60 and 90-minute versions of the documentary film POW
Division, the decision was made to transition from essay
last 18 months with the re-working of the curriculum
recognition within the NE 203 course to recognizing top
have been turned over to Maryland Public Television for
performers in the two Ethics courses. While this transition
the purpose of representation for national distribution.
from essays to top-performer recognition was made,
A screening of portions of the film, accompanied by
the recognition of the midshipmen is now the Dr. Karel
commentary from a panel of POWs was presented to over
Montor Leadership Award. Lastly, while the midshipmen
POW: Passing on Wisdom film project
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STOCKDALE CENTER FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
are no longer recognized for their essays, this annual event will continue to carry the name of Vice Admiral William
THE CLASS OF 1958 ADMIRAL CHARLES R. LARSON ETHICAL LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARD
P. Lawrence Ethics Essay Award Dinner. In addition to the
The Admiral Charles R. Larson Ethical Leadership
Dr. Karel Montor Leadership Awards, the Captain William
Excellence Award is sponsored by the USNA Class of 1958
R. Rubel Award for Instructor Excellence and the Admiral
in honor of their classmate Admiral Charles Larson. This
Charles R. Larson Award were presented.
annual award goes to a civilian or military faculty member, athletic administrator or coach who has contributed
THE DR. KAREL MONTOR LEADERSHIP AWARD
significantly to the Academy’s mission to graduate
The Dr. Karel Montor Leadership Award is awarded
ethical leaders for the Navy, Marine Corps and nation
annually to the top midshipmen of the following two
by modeling, through word and deed, Admiral Larson’s
courses of NE 203: Ethics and Moral Reasoning for the
legacy.
Naval Officer Course and the NL 310: Leadership Theory and Applications Course. The ten awardees (five from
This year the Admiral Charles R. Larson Ethical Leadership
each course) are selected by the faculty of their respective
Excellence Award was presented to an individual whose
course, and the criteria is based on consistent excellence
contributions to the Naval Academy have been far-
in the Leadership, Ethics and Law curriculum with the top
reaching and enduring during the challenging months of
1% of classroom performance. Other criteria included are
the onset of COVID. That individual was Captain Courtney
the students’ overall course involvement as well as their
Minetree. Captain Minetree’s exhaustive personal and
leadership within the Brigade of Midshipmen. The winners
professional efforts raised the level of professionalism
are approved by the Director, Leadership, Ethics and
and performance throughout the Brigade of Midshipmen
Development Division (LEAD). Awardees from NE 203
and established a foundation of success for an entire
include: Mary Brackett, Xiang Chi, William Clark, Andres
generation of Navy and Marine Corps officers. An officer
Gulbrandson and Robert Moore. Awardees from NL 310
of irreproachable personal example, she brought dignity
include: Lauren Anderson, Brook Bailey, Heather Feldman,
and respect to the forefront in the culture of the Brigade
Lucille Freidenrich and Hunter James.
and, at the same time, instilled within midshipmen the warrior ethos and passion for the profession of arms.
THE CAPTAIN WILLIAM R. RUBEL AWARD FOR INSTRUCTOR EXCELLENCE
Through her dedicated efforts, she instilled the highest
The Captain William R. Rubel Award for Instructor
exceptional personal example, significantly improving
Excellence, also known as “The Rubie”, is awarded to
the U.S. Naval Academy. Captain Minetree exemplified,
the top NE 203: Ethics and Moral Reasoning for the
through word and deed, Admiral Larson’s lifelong
Naval Officer Course instructor. This year, the award
principles. Specific examples follow: Ensured consistent
was presented to two instructors for their excellence
application of policy and standards throughout the U.S.
in instruction of the NE 203 coursework. Commander
Naval Academy, shaping the Moral and Professional
Michael (Mike) Norton, USN, Ph.D. and Captain James
development of the Brigade of Midshipmen and preparing
(Jim) Campbell, USN, Retired, were the 2021 recipients.
each individual for the privilege of leading Sailors and
values and standards of character in the staff through
Marines who volunteered to serve their country in a time Due to the COVID pandemic during 2020, we were left
of war. Ensuring a Fleet-focused approach in every aspect
to cancel the dinner, therefore we took the opportunity to
of operations and training, and stressing accountability
publicly recognize the 2020 “Rubie” recipient at this year’s
and exceeding standards, her efforts prepared future
dinner. Congratulations goes to Lieutenant Commander
officers of the Navy and Marine Corps to lead from the
Danielle Litchford, USN for her instructional excellence in
day of their commissioning. Superbly executed the vast
her delivery of NE 203.
duties of a Battalion Officer during the COVID-19 global pandemic. She ensured the continuity of operations and daily activity, enabling a flawless Plebe Summer and Naval
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2021–2022 IMPACT REPORT
Academy Summer Programs execution. In the vital effort
and habits required for success as a midshipman (and a
to ensure the Superintendent’s COVID-19 mitigation
naval officer after graduation) which directly contribute
plan resulted in a success, Captain Minetree was hand
to the success of any other endeavor pursued. An
selected as the ROM and ISO Officer-in-Charge. Her
exceptional leader and an officer with inexhaustible
impact, indefatigable perseverance and consistency had
reserves of personal energy and commitment, Captain
a profound effect on the success of the daily execution as
Minetree’s contributions to the U.S. Naval Academy
well as the smooth leadership transition. Her efforts led
have been extraordinary. Her personal efforts instilled
to advancing the long-term success of the institution that
pride, professionalism and a sense of purpose and
remains the largest single and premier commissioning
accomplishment in every midshipman, Senior Enlisted
source for the U.S. Naval service. Acted as the catalyst
Leader and officer whom she led. Her personal efforts
for the Commandant of Midshipmen staff to build
made a powerful and positive impact on the U.S. Naval
teamwork with the other cost centers charged with the
Academy and leadership of 4,486 midshipmen. As a
moral, mental and physical development of midshipmen
member of the Admissions Board, she brings a warfighter
at the U.S. Naval Academy. She exemplified the essential
perspective to the admissions process; positively shaping
requirements that mission areas must be mutually
the future of all warfare communities for generations
supporting to achieve individual mission areas as well as
to come. Her accomplishments during the COVID-19
institution-wide success. The noted decrease in academic
pandemic are attributable directly to her commitment to
board cases in her Battalion coupled with the unmatched
duty, personal example and superior leadership. As Officer
success of athletic and academic programs through
Representative for the Navy Varsity Women Swimming
this period as compared to historical norms exemplifies
and Diving Team, she instituted a cultural of excellence
the synergy gained when all mission areas support one
that led to the team’s increased performance, professional
another and not in isolation from others; this is just one
success and ultimately achieving academic recognition not
example of the impact of this officer. She consistently
witnessed in 20 years.
linked, for midshipmen and staff alike, the standards
Guest speaker Mr. Alvin Townley, author of “Defiant Leadership” speaks with attendees during the annual Honor, Courage, and Commitment Luncheon
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STOCKDALE CENTER FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
Captain Minetree leads by example with character,
ties across the Academy. The ultimate objective of the
compassion and conviction, while remaining personal
seminar series is to inspire, instruct and challenge our
and approachable. Her engaging nature has fostered an
future naval officers and those who lead them. Typically
environment in which midshipmen are able to thrive as
held in the fall and spring, this year, due to the transition
they develop into the Navy and Marine Corps leaders of
in the Influence the Influencer position along with COVID
tomorrow.
restrictions, the luncheons were cancelled.
STUTT ETHICS LECTURE
COMPETITION
The 2022 Stutt Ethics Lecture was presented by bestselling author Ryan Holiday on 11 April 2022. The lecture
ETHICS DEBATE TEAM
was on the topic of moral courage and was delivered to
The Academy’s USNA Ethics Debate team has competed
all 1,135 members of the Class of 2024. Every member of
in ethics debate, business and engineering ethics case
the class also received Holiday’s book “Courage is Calling:
competitions annually for 18 years. For eight years the
Fortune Favors the Brave.”
team has hosted a military ethics case competition for sister service and military academies. In Ethics Bowl
VOLGENAU HONOR, COURAGE AND COMMITMENT LUNCHEON
competitions, teams debate in a panel format similar to
The Volgenau Honor, Courage and Commitment
cases taken directly from the realms of personal ethics,
traditional debate, but focused on the ethical aspects of business, medicine, science, popular media, journalism,
Luncheon offers a unique ethical leadership development
environmental and public policy and international criminal
opportunity for midshipmen, staff, faculty and coaches as
justice among others. Business ethics case competitions
the invitees hear from accomplished speakers with diverse
involve 20 to 30 minute presentations centered on ethical
professional backgrounds, engage in lively discussions
dilemmas or challenges encountered in the business
with the speakers and interact with one another, building
world, followed by question and answer rounds. The
Team participants with their coaches and this year’s judges of the 2022 Military Ethics Case Competition
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2021–2022 IMPACT REPORT
Lockheed Martin Engineering Ethics Case competition
hosted virtually by the APPE. The team finished 0-3-1.
involves teams in role play of negotiations with partner
Other schools included The University of Chicago, U.S.
firms in search of solutions to ethically charged
Military Academy, Yale University, Youngstown State
engineering dilemmas the firms face. They must balance
University, Whitworth University, Depau, The Colorado
ethical with financial and legal concerns. The military
School of Mines and Macalester University.
ethics case competition is a 30-minute presentation format, dealing with ethical challenges in operational
APRIL 2022: The team organized and ran the eighth
military scenarios, followed by question and answer
annual Military Ethics Case Competition (MECC), held
sessions. These competitions allow midshipmen to hone
in person at the Academy, Luce Hall and placed third.
their ethical reasoning, leadership, communication and
Other schools participating; The U.S. Military Academy at
team building skills. It gives members the opportunity to
West Point, the Air Force Academy and Virginia Military
represent the Academy in civilian venues. Dr. Shaun Baker,
Institute.
an Assistant Director for the Stockdale Center, coaches
* The team was unable to compete in the Templeton Business Ethics Case Competition at Stetson University, Deland Florida, due to the date for the competition falling during an Academic Reserve week.
the Ethics Debate team. The USNA Ethics Team participated in the following case competitions in 2021–22:
MILITARY ETHICS CASE COMPETITION OCTOBER 2021: The Eller School of Management
On 16 April 2022, the Stockdale Center and Class of
Collegiate Ethics Case Competition, University of
1964 hosted the eighth annual Military Ethics Case
Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, held virtually. The team won
Competition, which remains the only ethics competition in
the Stephanie Chance Bright Line Essay Award, and
the nation that focuses on military ethics.
placed 11th in the 25-team field. Other schools included Washington University, Boston College, Elon University,
Teams from the Air Force Academy, West Point and the
Georgetown University, Penn State, the University of
Virginia Military Institute joined the USNA team. The
Pittsburgh and Canadian schools, University of Calgary,
teams received a case, two months prior to the event. It
Concordia University and Simon Fraser University.
focused on clandestine communications and espionage efforts undertaken by the POWs in Hanoi during the
NOVEMBER 2021: The Association of Practical and
Vietnam War. Teams had the task of evaluating the efforts
Professional Ethics (APPE) Ethics Bowl Southeast
from moral and legal perspectives, with an eye toward
Regional, University of South Florida, Jacksonville, Florida,
the Code of Conduct, UCMJ, LOAC and stewardship
held virtually. The team finished 4-0-0 placing 1st in a
responsibilities for command.
field of 20, competing with colleges including Samford, the Citadel, University of Florida, University of Central Florida,
Judges for the competition included volunteers from
University of Miami, Seton Hall, Auburn, University of
Engineering Solutions and Products Inc., North Star
Alabama Birmingham, University of Richmond, Georgia
Alternative Solutions and members of the USNA Class
State and Wake Forest.
of 1964. All judges have considerable military and post military careers, enabling them to be the best rated judges
FEBRUARY 2021: The Lockheed Martin Engineering
for any competition we attend, according to midshipmen
Ethics Case Competition, held virtually. The team placed
members of the team and the coach.
4th in the 32-team field. Other schools included, The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, The U.S. Air Force
In the tightest competition yet in the series, the Naval
Academy, The U.S. Coast Guard Academy, The Citadel,
Academy took third place, while West Point came in
University of Alabama, Penn State University, University of
second. VMI took fourth and the Air Force Academy placed
Illinois, Purdue University and Virginia Tech University.
first. Only 11 points separated first place from fourth.
The team took part in the National Finals of Ethics Bowl,
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STOCKDALE CENTER FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
AMERICAN SERVICE ACADEMY PROGRAM
Working hand-in-hand with the stakeholders across the
The American Service Academy Program is a 16-day
Yard, the Naval Academy Foundation, our alumni and other supporters, the Stockdale Center aims to:
educational initiative in Poland created by the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation (AJCF) for a select group
DEVELOP A DIGITAL STRATEGY THAT BETTER REFLECTS THE POST-COVID ENVIRONMENT:
of cadets and midshipmen from the military service academies and the Coast Guard Academy.
The past several years have been exceptionally The four selected Naval Academy representatives
challenging. We are all quite proud, however, of how the
participated in intensive workshops, listened to lectures
Naval Academy adapted to the new environment. Courses
from Holocaust survivors, met with scholars, high-level
have been delivered online and the workforce has adjusted
government officials, students from Eastern Europe, and
to telework. Within the Center, a massive effort has been
citizens of Poland, and visited Warsaw, Krakow, Auschwitz
undertaken to put new content in new formats online for
and the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York and
midshipmen, staff, faculty and coaches. Podcasts have
the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC. The purpose
been created and already have an impressive following.
of the Service Academy Program is to display in vivid
Online book discussions and faculty development
terms what can happen in the absence of free, open and
programs have been launched. New and innovative ways
democratic governing institutions and the dangers of
to serve up academic research has been initiated. All of
passivity in military professionals. Through learning in
these products and services deserve an optimal layout and
detail about the Holocaust and events leading up to it, the
user experience. A stand-alone website has been created
Academy representatives understand what can happen
for that purpose:https://radiostockdale.transistor.fm/.
when evil is given free reign, when democratic ideals are
Center stakeholders can expect more from this site in the
not defended and when ordinary citizens choose to be
coming year.
passive bystanders when evil occurs, electing compliance over action. Midshipmen returning from this program write papers on
BETTER SUPPORT THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE, WITH ETHICS OUTREACH AND SUPPORT:
their experience and these papers are distributed to other
In early 2020 Congress mandated the special operations
midshipmen and posted on the Stockdale Center and AJCF
community conduct a comprehensive review of its
websites. Additionally, the midshipman participants have
moral climate. The Stockdale Center has supported that
used their experience to prepare Plebes when they visit
community for many years by facilitating ethics off-sites
the American Museum of the Holocaust in Washington
or stand-downs, case studies and publications. Beginning
D.C. Through these interactions, the participants in
in summer 2020, the Stockdale Center received an
the Auschwitz Program touch the lives of hundreds of
additional Deputy Director for Ethics. This new position
midshipmen.
is a permanent active duty position coded for a SEAL Captain with operational experience. The first to fill this
The Naval Academy representatives for 2021 were
role is CAPT Francis G. Franky.
Midshipmen 2nd Class Eleanor Canalichio, Sean Doherty, Carolyn Mang and Ryan Ortiz.
EXPAND LEADERSHIP RESEARCH WITH MILITARY AND GOVERNMENTAL APPLICATIONS:
THE WAY AHEAD FOR THE STOCKDALE CENTER
The next frontier for the Center is conducting leadership-
The 2022 academic year is an important year for the
itself at the forefront of leader development research,
specific research. Currently, that field is dominated by neuroscience. The Stockdale Center wants to position
Stockdale Center and the Naval Academy, in that the
initially by cementing a series of collaborative relationships
institution’s new 10-year strategic plan has been adopted.
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2021–2022 IMPACT REPORT
with researchers at research (R1) universities, as well
the field of applied ethics. The Stockdale Center aims to
other as like-minded U.S. government agencies that share
publish the proceedings of this conference, expanding the
similar goals.
written academic literature surrounding ethical leadership.
LEAD IN LEADERSHIP INNOVATION:
REFINE THE INFLUENCE THE INFLUENCER PROGRAM:
The purpose of the Boeing Leadership Innovation Lab is
The purpose of the program is to strengthen the
to explore, discover, develop, test and implement cutting
leadership competencies and confidence of USNA’s
edge theories, concepts, practices and methodologies
faculty, coaches and staff. Investing in these key
to ensure that the Naval Academy graduates Navy and
influencers through innovative leadership resources.
Marine Corps leaders are prepared to protect the peace
From 2016–2019 the Center invested over $1,000,000 in
and win the nation’s wars in the 21st century. The Lab
the development of the Academy’s key leaders, ranging
addresses the challenge of preparing new generations
from team building events in the Rockies for Department
of leaders who absorb, process and use information for
Chairs to executive development courses at Northwestern,
making decisions and providing direction to others in a
Harvard, Duke Universities among many others. After
much different way than generations before them. The Lab
proving the concept over the past several years, a more
serves as a fusion center of thought and experimentation
consistent and deeper application of this investment is
to determine how to strengthen, individualize and
being tried with the Associate Fellows Program, a cohort-
accelerate the leadership development process.
based nine-week immersion in ethical leadership.
EXPAND ETHICS RESEARCH:
INVESTIGATE NEW PHYSICAL SPACES:
The Center annually hosts three visiting faculty
The Stockdale Center has outgrown its home in Luce Hall.
members typically drawn from the fields of ethics or
The Distinguished Chairs are doubled up in offices and the
moral/political/legal philosophy. With the Director of
Fellows are ‘hot racking’ desks. A post-major command
Strategy, the Distinguished Ethics Chair and internal
O-6 and the Senior Warfare Community Representative
USNA faculty, participants do a “deep dive” on the most
for the SEAL community occupies an office that is little
pressing moral issue facing the Navy, Marine Corps and
more than the size of a standard closet. There is interest
the U.S. Department of Defense generally. The current
in exploring another location for the Stockdale Center for
research seminar for 2020–2021 is entitled “The Ethics
Ethical Leadership in the coming years.
of Intelligence and Grey Zone Operations.” The year-long research effort culminates in the McCain Conference,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
an international gathering of the world’s top scholars in
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