ADM Kurt Tidd, USN (ret.) last served as the Commander, United States Southern Command. Prior to that assignment, Tidd served as Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also served as the Director for Operations, Joint Staff (J-3), and as Commander, United States Naval Forces Southern Command and United States Fourth Fleet. He is a 1978 Naval Academy graduate, and holds a Masters in Political Science from the University of Bordeaux.
Apr 04, 2022•13 min•Ep. 105
Carol Graser is a Senior Fellow at the Stockdale Center, leading the training for Company Officers and Senior Enlisted to use a coaching approach to develop leaders. Carol is certified in Leadership Coaching through the Georgetown Leadership Coaching Program. She earned a certificate in Brain Based Conversations from the Neuroleadership Institute. Previously, Carol was a leader in IBM, Hewlett Packard, and Merck pharmaceuticals.
Mar 28, 2022•11 min•Ep. 104
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are being used in the Russo\Ukrainian War to devastating effect. In this encore presentation, we revisit the ideas and execution of Drones, in both war and peace. We discuss why learning about these now is worthwhile, how to get involved, and what may be the future of these vehicles. Jeff Voigt is a Naval Academy graduate, a former Surface Warfare Officer, and he's taught at the Academy and at OCS in Newport Rhode Island. He's a private pilot, a certificated UAV operator...
Mar 21, 2022•15 min•Ep. 103
Dr. Tony Pfaff is currently the Research Professor for Strategy, the Military Profession, and Ethics at the Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College, Carlisle, PA. He is a Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Atlantic Council. A retired Army colonel and Foreign Area Officer (FAO) for the Middle East and North Africa, Dr. Pfaff recently served as Director for Iraq on the National Security Council Staff. Dr. Pfaff has a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Economics from Washington and Lee Uni...
Mar 14, 2022•13 min•Ep. 102
Jovana Davidovic (PhD, University of Minnesota, 2011) is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at University of Iowa, where she also holds a complimentary appointment at the Law School and the Center for Human Rights. Her research focuses on military ethics and philosophy of international law and has been published in venues such as Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, Journal of Military Ethics, Ethics and International Affairs, Journal of Applied Ethics, and others. Davidovic has also worked exte...
Mar 07, 2022•11 min•Ep. 101
Creativity comes in many forms. It's the ability to solve problems, as well as the understanding and use of communication tools to convey information. Our guest has demonstrated both of those elements of creativity in his naval service. LT. Rylan Tuohy, USN, is a 2016 Applied Physics graduate of the Naval Academy, and he's earned a Master's Degree in Project Management from the University of Maryland. He has served as an officer in the Navy's Civil Engineering Corps and he has more than 15 milli...
Feb 28, 2022•16 min•Ep. 100
We conclude our discussion of various potential uses of neurocognitive science in military and intelligence operations, and sketch ethical issues, and angles of analysis that will arise as both allies and adversaries develop such tools, relating them to existing laws of war and conventions. Is Neuroethics a “new ethics”, or is it a subdiscipline of ethics or bioethics? How does multi-nationality influence Neuroethics? What are the viable paths forward in guiding this ever more global engagement ...
Feb 21, 2022•19 min•Ep. 99
In this second of a three-part series, we continue our discussion of potential uses of neurocognitive science in military operations. In the United States, programs are examining ways that brain science can be employed to augment warfighters’ and intelligence operators’ performance, and alter adversaries’ capabilities with regards to key cognitive and physical tasks. Similar projects are being conducted by others around the world, by friends and potential foes. We colloquially refer to "winning ...
Feb 14, 2022•15 min•Ep. 98
We talk with Dr. James Giordano, a Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Biochemistry at Georgetown University Medical Center and a Senior Fellow at the Stockdale Center. In this three-part series, we discuss what are some of the latest developments in brain science and technology related to military applications ? These include brain scanning tools, directed energy, trans-cranial magnetic and electrical stimulation, and deep brain stimulation - all of which can be used in military and i...
Feb 07, 2022•14 min•Ep. 97
In this encore presentation, we talk about the difference between an opinion and a position? Does your brain know the difference? What kind of biases are at work when I procrastinate? Will I have the same biases when I am much older? Find out more from our conversation with Brad Bishop, PhD., Professor & Associate Dean of the School of Engineering and Weapons.
Jan 31, 2022•19 min•Ep. 89
The Honor Series - Part 6 - Honor, Ethics, and Integrity - CAPT Herbert, USN (ret.) was a Distinguished Military Professor of Ethics, and the NE203 Course Director (Ethics and Moral Reasoning for the Naval Leader). We discuss, can a person be an ethical person and be honorable at the same time? How does integrity fit in with ethical behavior and being honorable? We ask, is there honor among thieves?
Jan 03, 2022•10 min•Ep. 96
The Honor Series - Part 5 - The Fleet Connection - CDR Ledford is the Chair of Leadership, Ethics, and Law. In this episode, he discusses the status of Midshipmen in the naval tradition. There's the importance of the concept of "profession", and a Midshipman's place within that profession. What's the significance of the "Khaki" uniform, and its link to the Brigade Honor Concept and the Professional Naval Officer? Finally, we emphasize that committing to the Honor Concept starts on I-Day.
Jan 03, 2022•10 min•Ep. 95
The Honor Series - Part 4 - Remediation and Coaching - CAPT Rick Rubel, USN, (ret.) was the officer tasked to develop the Honor Remediation Process at the Naval Academy. In this episode, we discuss the honor remediation program and processes. Why do we have remediation, and how does this fit the moral development program for Midshipmen? What are the keys to success and factors of failure? Finally, we discuss how do we prevent this from becoming a "second chance" program? He also discusses the ne...
Jan 03, 2022•15 min•Ep. 94
The Honor Series - Part 3 - The Honor Process - CDR Jana Vavaseur is the Brigade Honor Officer. We discuss the mission of the Naval Academy and we understand where Honor fits into it's goal "To develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically". Basically, how does the Honor Program add to that mission? What are the facts and some of the numbers related to honor, and honor violations? We discuss do we recruit honorable high school graduates, or do we develop honorable Midshipmen? Finally, we d...
Jan 03, 2022•9 min•Ep. 93
The Honor Series - Part 2 - Honor and Authenticity - MIDN Booker is the AC Y22 (Academic Year) Fall Brigade Commander. We discuss how honor relates to leadership. How does authenticity relate to honor, and is honor natural or is it something that can be developed? And if so, how do you "develop" honor? If honor/trust is lost, can it ever be restored again? And finally, what honor means to MIDN Booker.
Jan 03, 2022•9 min•Ep. 92
The Honor Series - Part 1 - The Brigade Honor Concept - MIDN Collins is the Brigade Honor Advisor. We discuss how the Brigade Honor Program is midshipmen run, and the roles and responsibilities of Brigade Honor team. This involves the honor advisory staff, the honor investigations team, and the honor congress. She details the significance of the Honor Concept relative to an Honor Code. We then discuss what happens when someone is "put in the system". Finally, we discuss how the Brigade Honor pro...
Jan 03, 2022•8 min•Ep. 91
We're in conversation with Captain Tasya Lacy, USN. She and her future husband graduated from the Naval Academy in 1994. She provides a unique and detailed perspective on how they have worked together to craft Navy careers in a dual military situation. Captain Lacy speaks about broadening your perspective on where your skills and abilities can take you, and encourages taking on challenges to enhance your outcomes. As a team, she says that communication, supporting each other's career goals, ment...
Dec 27, 2021•19 min•Ep. 90
We talk with Commander Leviticus Lewis, U.S. Navy (Ret), who now works with FEMA as a Program Manager for NASA's Planetary Defense Initiative. After retirement, Mr. Lewis has worked in the Pentagon serving both TSA and FEMA, with the FBI National Joint Terrorism Task Force and was at the Pentagon on 9/11. Mr. Lewis talks about the most current efforts of the Planetary Defense initiative and the launch of the DART mission to test kinetic impact on an asteroid. Planetary defense encompasses all th...
Dec 20, 2021•12 min•Ep. 88
We talk with Command Master Chief Britt Slabinski about doing the right thing when the decision becomes impossible. He relates how he invoked the 3CsPlus concept - courage, conviction, compassion and contribution. One is black and white, one is the underpinning of all, one is ever present and one has three rules. Listen to the podcast to find out which one is most important. Finally, where does the Boy Scout Oath play a part? CMC Slabinski's operational assignments include SEAL Team FOUR, 1990 t...
Dec 13, 2021•20 min•Ep. 87
LtGen Gaskin also served as the Commanding General of the 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, NC from June 2006 until July 2008. In addition to this role, he simultaneously served as the Commanding General of II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). During this tour, LtGen Gaskin led II MEF (FWD) during its year-long deployment to Al Anbar Province, Iraq as the Commanding General of Multinational Forces-West. Gaskin also served with 3rd Force Service Support Group (Echo and Foxtrot Logistics Sup...
Nov 29, 2021•20 min•Ep. 86
We're in conversation with Ms. Deanne Criswell, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In this episode, we discuss how FEMA handles ethical dilemmas , and in its role in working with the Navy and Marine Corps in support of emergency management, humanitarian assistance, and climate change . We also discuss the connection points between FEMA and the national security network . Ms. Criswell has served in the Colorado Air National Guard, and has deployed to Iraq, Afghan...
Nov 15, 2021•16 min•Ep. 85
Christopher J. Cassidy was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 2004 and is a veteran of three space flights, STS‐127, Expedition 35, and Expedition 63. During STS‐127, Cassidy served as a Mission Specialist and was the 500th person in history to fly into space. This mission delivered the Japanese Experiment Module Exposed Facility (JEM‐EF) and the Experiment Logistics Module Exposed Section (ELM‐ES) to the station. For Expedition 35, Cassidy and the European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Luca Par...
Nov 08, 2021•22 min•Ep. 84
Reed Robert Bonadonna served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an infantry officer and field historian, retiring with the rank of Colonel. He participated in the first Marine landings in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1982 and in Operation Iraqi Freedom-1 in 2003. He earned a PhD at Boston University. He recently retired as Director, Ethics and Character Development program at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He and his wife, Dr. Susan Bonadonna, MD, have three sons and reside in Larchmont, New York. FACE IN TH...
Nov 01, 2021•12 min•Ep. 83
What are the essentials of Leadership Development? How does Competence, Character, and Connectedness play a part? How do you achieve those "C's" while serving in the organization, and on your own? ADM Richardson reveals what he would do differently as a Midshipman, if he could do it all over again. Admiral John Richardson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982. He was the 31st Chief of Naval Operations. Admiral John Richardson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 with a Bachelor ...
Oct 24, 2021•34 min•Ep. 82
Under what conditions is the state morally justified in waging war? What are the moral responsibilities of those called upon to fight their nation's wars? This podcast introduces just war theory, a scholarly tradition that has evolved over the course of millennia as an ethical guide for the statesmen and combatants who must grapple with these difficult and enormously consequential questions.
Oct 18, 2021•22 min•Ep. 81
A discussion on character, the moral virtues most relevant to aspiring military officers, and how NE203 is structured to help midshipmen learn how to develop their characters.
Oct 11, 2021•39 min•Ep. 80
Moral deliberation involves the filtering and weighing (whether consciously or unconsciously) of relevant moral principles and concepts in order to determine a course of action. In this episode, we consider the novel way that NE203 teaches Moral Deliberation in order to shift our focus from theory to practice.
Oct 04, 2021•15 min•Ep. 79
Moral perception is awareness of the morally relevant features of the world. Many things can get in the way of perceiving the morally salient features of a given situation, our history, our culture, our biases--even being in a hurry. In this Episode, we talk about how we consider this important aspect of morality.
Sep 27, 2021•19 min•Ep. 78
This podcast introduces the main reasons that counted in favor of the thorough revision of NE203 and summarizes the most important changes made to that course.
Sep 20, 2021•40 min•Ep. 77
The conduct of war is subject to both moral and legal rules – for example, rules about who is a legitimate target, and who is not. What is the relationship between those moral and legal rules? Should we change the law of war so that its content mirrors the true morality of war? David Lefkowitz is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Richmond. He is the author of a book – Philosophy and International Law: A Critical Introduction - as well as numerous articles and book chapters on topics i...
Sep 13, 2021•14 min•Ep. 76
