Leadership and EthicsLesson 3

Writing Workshop

“Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.”

E. L. Doctorow

“I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter.”

James Michener

Ethics Essay

• Approved topic relating to leadership & ethics• 3000-3500 words (body…not bib, index, etc.) • Naval War College format• Proposal due by 1 Feb• Draft Review on 23 Feb – 13 Mar • Paper due 22 March• Identify & discuss an ethical leadership

challenge facing Junior Officers in the Fleet/FMF

• Develop recommendations to address the challenge using course concepts

Use: Naval War College Pocket Writing and Style Guide 2012- Available at usnwc.edu/Academics/WritingCenter.aspx

Ethics Essay…Getting Started!

• Proposal is due on 31 Jan• Proposal Includes:

– Topic, Draft Thesis, List of at least 5 sources, & Rough Outline (or general approach to addressing thesis)

Reading Assignment

• The Naval Officer’s Guide– Chapter 9: Oral and Written Communication

Oral Communication

• Opportunities to improve skills

• Voice Techniques

• Grammar and diction

• Body language

• Communicating with seniors/juniors

• Formal speaking… notes or script

• Supporting presentation

• Briefing… no substitute for experience

Written Communication• Organized, active, brief as possible• Formats… use the template• Naval letters… use bureaucratic style • Point papers, discussion papers, information

papers… local guidance• Transmittal memos• Naval messages• E-mail (BLUF)• Powerpoint (Quad slide)• Handling of classified material

Point Papers

• Define acronyms

• Limit scope of discussion (example)

• Judicious use of background info

• Consider addressing counter-arguments

• Expect it to be forwarded up the chain

• Be forthright in your recommendations

• Don’t be offended by name substitution

• Writer’s block?… just write something!Needed: Thick Skin!

Naval (Record) Messages

• Formal communication on admin or operational matter

• Define acronyms

• Strict format adherence…pro forma msgs

• Action and info “addees”– CADs and AIGs

• Formal diction

• Release authority

• Opinion: giving way to e-mail

E-mail

• More and more acceptable

• Relaxed SYNTAX and format

• SIPR versus NIPR… spillage

• Attachments

• BLUF

• Expect to be forwarded….

• Writing to your CO

• Professional tone

Powerpoint• Know your audience

– Stand-alone slides or supporting live briefer?

• Avoid obscure acronyms• Economy… as lean as possible• Back-up slides• Graphics, pictures• Making a decision recommendation?• Time constraints and collaboration• Script requirement… notes pages?

More senior the audience… leaner the brief

General information

• Required to support 5 SSO and 1 Fordham applicant

• Program focused on drill; military customs, courtesies and traditions and PT

• Midshipman-run with direct oversight by active duty staff member (on campus from reveille to taps)

• MLK weekend allows deconfliction from Reg indoc, license exams, classwork and sports

• Training provided to all instructors prior to COMEX

• Lessons learned from fall orientation AAR and DEOMI survey incorporated

Fall 2012 NROTC Orientation: 13-17 Jan

Week at a Glance• 11 JAN (Wednesday)

– First Lead Lab– Administrative Day – Gear Issue

• 13 JAN (Friday)– Orientation begins at 1400

• 14-16 JAN Battle Rhythm 0500-2100

• 17 JAN (Tuesday)– Orientation Ends at 0730

Requested Support from Maritime• Continued use of assigned rooms (no

training from taps to reveille)• Accommodation for one (female) Fordham

student

• Reserved table in Dining Facility • Non-exclusive use of pool, gym and athletic

fields (already coordinated)

Battle Rhythm•0500 Lights•0530 – 0600 Chow•0600 – 0800 PT•0800 – 1000 Class•1000 – 1200 Drill•1200 – 1300 Chow•1300 – 1500 Class•1500 – 1700 Pool•1700 – 1800 Chow•1800 – 2000 Drill•2000 – 2100 Prep Time•2100 Lights

SOE/Battle Rhythm

29 December 2011

1-Page Point Paper

• Address concern with today’s Navy or Marine Corps

• Use prescribed format• One page ONLY• Tests ability to communicate

salient points and make recommendations in a powerful, concise document

• 10 pts toward final grade• Due 23 February

Another critical junior officer skill…

Readings for Next ClassRelativism

• EMP (6 pages)– Chapter 2A: Relativity of Moral Beliefs

(Lucas), pp. 25-27; Relativism and Objectivism (Porter), pp. 39-41;

• CSME (2 pages)– Our Values or Theirs? (Rubel), pp. 191-2.

Objectives from reading:

• Know the difference between cultural relativism in social science and relativism as a normative theory of ethics

• Questions to answer:

What is Relativism?Are you a relativist? Why or why not?

What is Moral Pluralism?

•Can a Naval Officer really be a relativist?