National Defense University Conference

MILITARY PROFESSIONALISM:
Introspection and Reflection on Basic Tenets and the Way Ahead

January 10, 2011

National Defense University

Fort Lesley J. McNair

The past decade has posed formidable challenges to the professional military ethos, challenges that are likely to continue for years to come. NDU’s Institute for National Security Ethics and Leadership is organizing this one-day conference as the first major activity in a continuing project on military professionalism. As the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen has said, "our professionalism must remain beyond reproach." These challenges require introspection and reflection on the part of the profession as a whole, by its individual members, and especially across the spectrum of military education and training. Thus, NDU has invited key leaders from the military education and training community to come to NDU for a day of such introspection and reflection. Following the Chairman’s call, we have invited as speakers distinguished military professionals, active duty and retired, to engage in such introspection and reflection.

WORKING AGENDA - as of 1-6-2010

0730 – 0815 Registration Marshall Hall, Atrium

0805 – 0815 Administrative Remarks Marshall Hall, Room 155

0815 – 0830 Welcome and Conference Overview

VADM Ann E. Rondeau, USN, President, National Defense University

0830-0915 Opening Keynote

ADM Mike Mullen, USN, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

0930-1045 Panel I: Military Professionalism and the Military Ethos

We start the day on a conceptual note, by going back to basics: What are the central elements of the professional military ethos? What are the key attributes of the military profession?

Moderator: Dr. Albert C. Pierce, Director, Institute for National Security Ethics and Leadership

Panelists:

· RADM Michelle Howard, USN, Chief of Staff, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J5), The Joint Staff

· VADM Ann E. Rondeau, USN, President, National Defense University

· BG Sean MacFarland, USA, Deputy Commanding General of the US Army Combined Arms Center for Leader Development and Education and as Deputy Commandant of the Command and General Staff College

1100-1215 Panel II: Who is a Member of the Military Profession?

In his classic The Soldier and the State, the late Samuel P. Huntington argued that enlisted military personnel were not members of the profession: “Their vocation is a trade not a profession.” More than 50 years after that book was first published, the questions of who is a member of the military profession and who isn’t a member --- and why, or why not ---are still being debated. Is it determined by rank? By time in service? By completion of initial training? Only by being issued a commission? In this session, panelists offer interestingly different answers to those questions.

Moderator: Colonel Harry L Dorsey, Esq., J.D.,(Ret), Dean of Faculty and Academic Programs, Industrial College of the Armed Forces – invited

Panelists:

· COL Matthew Moten, USA, Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of History, U.S. Military Academy

· Dr. Joseph J. Thomas (LtCol, USMC (Ret)), Lakefield Family Foundation Distinguished Military Professor of Leadership, U.S. Naval Academy

· Sergeant Major Bryan Battaglia, USMC, Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Joint Forces Command

1215-1330 Luncheon Room 155, Marshall Hall

Speaker: GEN Richard B. Myers, USAF (Ret), Colin Powell Chair of Leadership, Ethics, and Character, NDU/INSEL and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

1330-1445 Panel III: Challenges in Providing Professional Advice

Among the most important responsibilities and duties of senior officers is providing professional advice, especially professional military advice, to political leaders and to the most senior military leaders. What kinds of challenges might an officer encounter when his/her best professional advice runs counter to, or differs significantly from, what the senior leader might expect and/or want? How should a military professional best handle such situations? We have invited some retired senior officers to share their experiences and the insights they have derived from their experience in providing professional advice.

Moderator: CH (COL) Eric Wester, USA, Senior Military Fellow, Institute for National Security Ethics and Leadership

Panelists:

· LTG Julius W. Becton,Jr. USA (Ret), Vice Chairman, Military Leadership Diversity Commission and former Commanding General, VII Corps, U.S. Army Europe

· Lt Gen Jack L. Rives, USAF (Ret), Executive Director, American Bar Association and former The Judge Advocate General (TJAG), U.S. Air Force

1500-1600 Panel IV: Professional Disagreement on Policy

When, if ever, and under what circumstances, should a military professional express disagreement with declared policy or strategy? What are the principles that should guide the military professional in so doing? Are the principles different, or should they be applied differently, for active duty and retired military professionals? What are the parameters within which such disagreement should be expressed?

Moderator: Dr. Lorry M. Fenner, Director, Conflict Research Records Center, National Defense University

Panelists:

· ADM Leon A. Edney, USN (Ret) , former Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic and Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command

· MG Paul D. Eaton, USA (Ret), former Commanding General of the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT) Iraq and former Commanding General, U.S. Army Infantry Center

1600-1645 Keynote Address on Civilian Perspectives

The principal clients of professional military advice include civilian leaders in the executive and legislative branches. To get civilian perspectives on these issues, we have asked a former Deputy Secretary of Defense to offer some of his experiences and insights on these issues.

Speaker: Honorable John J. Hamre, President and CEO, Center for Strategic and International Studies and former Deputy Secretary of Defense

1645-1745 Panel V: Political Activity by Retired Officers

When, if ever, is it appropriate for retired military professionals, especially retired senior officers, to engage in partisan political activity? Where and how should we draw the lines between appropriate and inappropriate activity? Why should they be drawn there? What about publicly endorsing candidates? Campaigning for them? Appearing or speaking at a national party convention?

Moderator: Mr. Harvey Rishikof, Esq., Professor of Law and National Security Studies, National War College

Panelists:

· GEN Charles G. Boyd, USAF (Ret), Starr Distinguished National Security Fellow, the Nixon Center and former Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command

· GEN John M. Loh, USAF (Ret), former Commander, Air Combat Command

1745-1800 Closing Remarks

VADM Ann E. Rondeau, President, National Defense University