Curious about the Naval Academy's Ethics Department

I'm considering applying to the Naval Academy and am really interested in their approach to ethics. Can anyone share some insights into how the Ethics Department at the Naval Academy shapes cadets' education and how it might impact my experience if I attend?

At the United States Naval Academy (USNA), ethics is a significant part of the institution's focus on developing leaders of strong moral character. The Ethics Department includes several key components in the study of ethics such as the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, which promotes the study of leadership and ethics within the Naval Academy curriculum and does outreach to the broader military community and beyond.

The Core Values Program is integrated throughout various aspects of the Naval Academy life. This program is designed to cultivate a deep personal understanding and appreciation for the navy's core values of honor, courage, and commitment in service to the country. As a midshipman, you will attend several mandatory sessions to develop your understanding of ethical issues.

In terms of coursework, there's also the ethics curriculum, which is part of the core curriculum every midshipman must complete. This includes the NE203: Ethics and Moral Reasoning for the Naval Leader course, which provides the opportunity to explore ethical theories and apply them to real-life ethical dilemmas in military and naval contexts.

Additionally, the opportunity to partake in ethics-related extracurricular activities adds to your experience. For instance, the annual Ethics Bowl is a contest in which teams from different service academies debate ethical issues, and the Leadership, Ethics, and Law Club offers stimulating discussions around topics in these interconnected fields.

Overall, the focus on ethics at the Naval Academy provides a framework for making ethical decisions and understanding the moral implications of leadership. It helps build leaders with integrity, which is critical for military service. Your experience would be heavily shaped by these ethics programs providing you with ample intellectual challenge and moral guidance.