Military Ethics and Codes of Conduct

MILITARY ETHICS AND CODES OF CONDUCT – THEN AND NOW

Here is an article I had written 7 years ago – in the year 2010.

I am posting it once more.

Dear Reader:

Please tell me – is it relevant today…?

MILITARY ETHOS AND VALUE SYSTEM – THEN AND NOW

Ramblings of a Veteran By Vikram Karve  

Link to my original post in my Blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/07/military-ethics-then-and-now.html

MILITARY CODES OF CONDUCT – OUTDATED versus MODERN

Change in inevitable.

Everything changes with time.

Even Ethics and Moral Values change with time.

Let us have a look at the changes in Military Ethics and Codes of Conduct.

Long back – the Military (Army Navy Air Force) had rather Utopian and Idealistic Codes of Conduct – like – for example – a Cadet’s Code of Conduct:

OUTDATED CODE OF CONDUCT (Utopian and Idealistic)

A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do 

MODERN CODE OF CONDUCT (Practical and Materialistic) 

A cadet may lie, cheat, steal – but he will not get caught doing so

If a cadet sees others lying, cheating or stealing – he will turn a blind eye since it is none of his business

It is this Modern Cadet’s Code of Conduct that produces “smart” officers.

 

THE NEW AGE “SMART” MILITARY OFFICER

In today’s world – a simple person who is sincere, honest and hardworking and obeys rules is dubbed as a “stupid nincompoop”.

On the other hand – a person who achieves “success” – even if he does unethical things – takes short-cuts – or breaks rules/regulations – but – he does not get caught – he is called “SMART”.

The essence of “modern ethics” is:

“DO NOT GET CAUGHT…”

Yes – it is the “in thing” to do doing immoral, illegal and unethical things to achieve “success” at any cost – as long as you are “smart” enough not to get caught.

On the other hand – being honest, straightforward and upright is considered foolish and old-fashioned.

Unfortunately – this seems true in the military as well.

These “modern” flexible moral values – and “new age” military ethos – they seem to have been imbibed by many new age “smart” officers – during training as a cadet – as a junior officer – and later as a senior officer – as is evident from the increasing number of scams and scandals in the defence services being reported by the media.

 

ETHICS IN UNIFORM – TRADITIONAL MILITARY CODES OF CONDUCT 

A few years ago – while clearing my bookcase – I came across a booklet about various aspects of Naval Life – which we were probably given when I joined the Naval Academy way back in the 1970’s.

In this booklet there was a quote by John Paul Jones – CODE OF A NAVAL OFFICER.

These words made a lasting impression on me – and I tried to imbibe and follow the spirit of the code in my career and personal life.

John Paul Jones – often called the Father of the American Navy – helped establish the traditions of courage and professionalism.

He is remembered for his indomitable will – his unwillingness to consider surrender when the slightest hope of victory still burned – and for promoting professional standards and training throughout his naval career.

Let us have a look at his Code of Naval Ethics:

CODE OF A NAVAL OFFICER

Written by John Paul Jones

“It is by no means enough that an officer of the Navy should be a capable mariner.

He must be that, of course, but also a great deal more.

He should be, as well, a gentleman of liberal education, refined manners, punctilious courtesy, and the nicest sense of personal honor.

He should not only be able to express himself clearly and with force in his own language both with tongue and pen – but he should be versed in French and Spanish as well.

(“Own language” obviously means English, which is relevant even today as English is the universal language of officers and the reference to French and Spanish probably pertains to languages of the crew of those days and in today’s context may refer to the languages or mother tongues of ship crew).

He should be the soul of tact, patience, justice, firmness, and charity.

No meritorious act of a subordinate should escape his attention or be left to pass without its reward – even if the reward is only a word of approval.

Conversely – he should not be blind to a single fault in any subordinate – though at the same time – he should be quick and unfailing to distinguish error from malice, thoughtlessness from incompetence, and well-meant shortcoming from heedless or stupid blunder.

As he should be universal and impartial in his rewards and approval of merit – so he should be judicial and unbending in his punishment or reproof of misconduct.

In one word – every commander should keep constantly before him this great truth – that to be well obeyed – he must be perfectly esteemed…”

 

United States Military Codes of Conduct

Compare the Code of a Naval Officer with the United States Military Academy West Point Cadet Honor Code which simply states:

A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do

Both the United States Military Academy and the United States Air Force Academy have adopted this Cadet Honor Code as a formalized statement of the “minimum standard of ethics” expected of cadets.

In contrast – the United States Naval Academy Annapolis has a related standard – known as the Honor Concept.

Unlike the honor codes in other service academies – the “Honor Concept” allows a midshipman to confront someone committing an honor violation without formally reporting it.

At the other military academies – failure to formally report an honor violation is construed as tolerating it – which is itself a violation of the code.

At the US Naval Academy – the penalties for violating the “Honor Concept” can be severe – including expulsion from the Academy.

United States Naval Academy Honor Concept

Midshipmen are persons of integrity: We stand for that which is right.

We tell the truth and ensure that the full truth is known. We do not lie.

We embrace fairness in all actions. We ensure that work submitted as their own is their own, and that assistance received from any source is authorized and properly documented. We do not cheat.

We respect the property of others and ensure that others are able to benefit from the use of their own property. We do not steal.

 

CODES OF CONDUCT IN INDIAN ARMED FORCES

SERVICE BEFORE SELF – or – SELF BEFORE SERVICE…?

In India we have the Motto of the National Defence Academy (NDA) Pune:

Service Before Self

and the Chetwode Credo of the the Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun:

The safety, honour and welfare of your country comes first, always and every time.
The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command come next.
Your own ease, comfort and safety come last, always and every time.

If you are a “fauji” or a veteran – do tell us whether military officers do indeed follow these codes of conduct in actual practice.

Or – has Military Ethics turned topsy-turvy – and the modern mottos/credos in vogue – in the military officer of today are:

“Self Before Service”

and

“My own ease, comfort and safety come first, always and every time”

 

DO WE NEED AN ETHICAL AND MORAL MILITARY ETHOS AND VALUE SYSTEM…?

I feel that every organisation and institution, civilian and military, needs a “code of ethics” or a “code of conduct”.

The “code of ethics” must be stated briefly in simple language – the code of conduct easily understood, realistic, practical and implementable.

Do you agree…?

Or – do feel that concepts like Ethics, Morals, Values and Codes of Conduct are outdated and irrelevant in today’s liberalised environment – where it is prudent to be “ethical chameleon” – and “moral flexibility” is the key to career success…?

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. These are my personal views based on my observations. The reality may be different. This is just food for thought and should be taken in the right positive spirit with a view to improvement.
2. This post is a spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.
3. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

Link to my original post in my Blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/07/military-ethics-then-and-now.html

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Revised Version of Article Written by me Vikram Karve in the year 2010 and First Posted by me Vikram Karve in this blog on 02 Jan 2011 at 1/02/2011 12:53:00 PM at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/01/code-of-naval-officer.html and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/10/code-of-naval-officer-military-codes-of.html  and  https://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/03/code-of-conduct-outdated-versus-modern.html and https://karve.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/code-of-conduct-and-ethics-an-article-from-academic-and-creative-writing-journal-vikram-karve/ and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/01/what-is-ethics-part-2-codes-of-conduct.html  and https://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/12/military-ethics-and-code-of-conduct.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/07/ethics-in-uniform-new-age-smart.html  etc

The Gorgeous Girl With Beautiful Hair

A HAIR RAISING ROMANCE

A Love Story By Vikram Karve 

Link to my original post in my Blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/03/i-fell-in-love-with-her-hair-hair.html

This morning – I saw a beautiful woman drying her luxuriant hair in her balcony.

As I admired this lovely sight – I remembered a love story I had written 11 years ago – in the year 2006.

So – let me delve into my creative writing archives and pull out this gentle romance which will bring a smile on your lips.

The Gorgeous Girl With Beautiful Hair – A Love Story by Vikram Karve

Part 1 – THE NUBILE BEAUTY WITH GORGEOUS HAIR

I fell in love with her hair.

Long, beautiful, copious, lustrous, her lush jet-black hair cascading majestically, adorning her fair and lovely body, almost down to her knees.

“Ooooooooh…” I sighed longingly, as I looked at her through the powerful binoculars, admiring her magnificent hair, feasting my eyes on her nubile body, thirstily drinking her in passionately, from head to toe, as she walked flamboyantly on Marine Drive.

I focussed, zoomed in on her face.

She was an exquisite beauty – tall, fair and freshly bathed – her luxuriant black hair flowing down her back – her sharp features accentuated by the morning sun – her nose slightly turned up, so slender and translucent – as though accustomed to smelling nothing but perfumes.

I could not take my eyes off her.

I had never seen anyone so beautiful, so virginal, and so vulnerable.

“Uffffff…” I yearned insatiably, my eyes locked onto her, imbibing, relishing, yearning, craving, totally mesmerized, when suddenly I was rudely shaken out my glorious reverie by vigorous hands roughly trying to grab the binoculars from my eyes and Bobby’s voice shouting excitedly in my ear, “Hey, let me see! Let me see!”

“She is too good, yaar!” Bobby exclaimed, “and just look at her hair – it’s so lovely!”

“Hey, you shameless voyeurs – don’t ogle so blatantly – if they find out you will be up the gum-tree!”  Aditya laughed as he entered.

“She’s really amazing, yaar! Just look,” Bobby said handing the binoculars to Aditya.

“Which one?” Aditya asked, panning the horizon.

“The tall, fair beauty with the lovely long hair,” Bobby said, pointing in her direction.

“That “hairy girl”…?” Aditya asked.

“Don’t say “hairy girl” – do you know what that means…? She is a nubile beauty with gorgeous hair…” I said.

“On yes – she is really a nubile beauty with gorgeous hair…” Bobby said.

“Oh Yes – she is really gorgeous – just look the way she is tossing her beautiful hair,” Aditya crooned with appreciation.

Then Aditya paused for a moment – hesitating – looking a bit uncertain – and then he said, “I think I have seen her somewhere.”

“Where…?” Bobby and I – both of us – exclaimed in unison.

“Churchgate. I think she works in our Churchgate branch,” Aditya said tentatively.

“What…? She works in your bank…?” I exclaimed in surprise.

“Yes. I think so. I will find out tomorrow – I will try and wangle some work at the Churchgate branch and go there and have a look. She is certainly worth a try,” Aditya said mischievously.

“Hey Aditya – you keep your hands off her – the nubile beauty with gorgeous hair is strictly mine!” I warned.

“It’s that serious, is it?” Aditya ribbed.

“It’s the thunderbolt – Love at first sight!” Bobby laughed, “You should have seen the way he was lapping her up!”

“Then we will have to do something, isn’t it? An intro, maybe a date! Let’s see,” Aditya promised.

Part 2 – FIRST ROMANTIC DATE

Heads turned as we entered the restaurant.

I felt the natural pride of possession that any man feels when he has the company of a woman that other men desire.

We sat down and talked.

I found that she was easy to talk to.

I experienced a strange feeling of elation.

In these moods – there was so much to say – the words simply came tumbling out.

I told her everything about myself.

She was a good listener.

Time flew.

I soon realized that she was looking at me with undisguised affection.

There was a conspiratorial look in her expressive eyes; at once inviting and taunting, and she radiated an extraordinary magnetic allure that had me awestruck.

She knew that it was her gorgeous hair that was her piece de resistance, the quintessence of her persona, the key facet of her loveliness, her attractiveness, her exquisite beauty, her captivating aura; and she used it with enthralling effect.

She would let her silky fragrant hair fall on her face.

Then in a most fascinating manner she would tantalizingly toss her hair back with a titivating flick of her hand, arching her eyebrows most sexily as she seductively preened her slender neck.

I sat in front of her, mesmerized.

I could not take my eyes off her.

I had never seen anyone so beautiful, so irresistible, so appealing.

I was madly in love with her – her teasing eyes, her nubile body, her captivating persona – but most importantly – her gorgeous hair!

Part 3 – PROPOSAL

I was so confident she would say “Yes” that I had a diamond engagement ring ready in my pocket when I proposed to her, as we held hands, sitting by the sea on Marine Drive, viewing a romantic sunset.

She turned down my proposal in one word – she just said: “No”.

“Why?” I asked, devastated.

“Your hair,” she said, “look at your hair – you are already greying!”

“No – I am not greying,” I said firmly, “I am sure that I do not have even a single white hair!”

“Yes, you do,” she said, “go home and have a look in the mirror.”

And as she said this – maybe to drive home her point – she sensuously caressed her beautiful lush black hair with her lovely hands.

That night I did not look at myself in the mirror.

I cried – I wept in my pillow – I was dismayed, wounded and shattered by the rejection.

Next morning I carefully examined my hair in the mirror.

I found just one infinitesimal strand of grey hair – barely visible – but she had noticed that one small grey hair on my head – yes – her discerning eyes had noticed that mere hint of grey – which had spelt my doom.

Part 4 – LOVE AT SECOND SIGHT

Ten years later – I ran into the same beautiful woman with luxuriant hair in a shopping mall at Aundh in Pune.

She looked chic.

Yes – she was the same nubile beauty with gorgeous hair.

It was as if 10 years had not passed – at least for her.

She smiled at me and I was struck by the thunderbolt of love once more.

As I looked at her – I felt that recognizable mingling of ineffable yearning and intense desire.

I realized that even after all these years – I was still desperately in love with her.

Her beauty had enhanced with age.

And yes – it was still her exquisite gorgeous luxuriant hair that was her crowning glory.

Even after so many years – her magnificent lush hair cascaded luxuriously down her sumptuous body – almost to her knees – and it was still as jet-black, lustrous and alluring as before.

And my own hair had turned almost totally grey!

In fact – now – my hair was mostly white – with just a few black strands.

“You look lovely,” I said.

“Thanks. But you have …”

“Prematurely greyed…” I completed the sentence.

She caressed her beautiful dark hair, tossed it.

“Coffee?” I suggested.

“Okay. Let’s finish our shopping first – then we can meet in the coffee shop at the entrance.”

She was waiting for me in the coffee shop.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” I said, “Cappuccino…?”

“I have already ordered for both of us. Cappuccino and Black Forest Pastry – like we used to have in Mumbai,” she said.

“How come you are in Pune?” I asked.

“I changed my job,” she said, “And what are you doing in Pune…?”

“I have been here in Pune for eight years now. I have a place in Aundh,” I said.

“Aundh? That’s great – I too live there – just settling in. Maybe you can give me a lift,” she said.

We dumped our shopping bags in the rear seat.

As I drove with her sitting beside me – I could not resist admiring her enchanting hair.

“Hey – I have to get off here,” she suddenly said.

“Here…?” I said slowing down the car – and steering the car left towards the footpath.

“That’s where I stay…” she said – pointing to a posh building.

She got out of the car – closed the front door – opened the rear door – picked up her shopping bag – gave me a smile and wave of thanks – turned around and walked away – her luxurious hair cascading around her shapely figure like a silky waterfall.

Part 5 – EPIPHANY

“What is this..?” my wife shouted from the kitchen.

“What…?” I asked.

“I sent you to buy coffee, tea, spices, grocery items – and look at the things you have brought…” my wife said.

“Stop nagging me – I have brought all the items exactly as per the list you gave me…” I said.

“Hair Dye – a pack of Black Hair Colour Gel – Hair Brush – You have bought a complete hair colouring kit…” my wife said.

“What are you saying…?” I said.

“Have you suddenly decided to colour your hair…? I thought you were against using hair dye – and now you have bought a complete hair colouring kit…” my wife said.

I rushed to the kitchen – and I saw my amused wife take out the contents of the shopping bag one by one.

She had laid out the hair colouring kit on the table.

“Oh My God – she picked up the wrong bag…!!!” I exclaimed.

“‘She’…? Who is this “SHE”…?” my wife asked arching her eyebrow.

So – I told my darling wife the whole story.

Yes – I told my wife the whole story – right from the beginning – from start to finish.

Then – my wife and me – we had a good laugh.

“You must return her bag…” my wife said mischievously.

“She lives in Aundh. I have seen the apartment block. It will be easy to find her place. Let’s go now…” I said.

“You want me to come with you…?” my wife asked, a bit surprised.

“Of course I want you to come – don’t you want to see the girl who dumped me because I had one small grey hair…?” I asked my wife.
My wife looked at me naughtily and said:

“Oh Yes – I am dying to see your beautiful girlfriend with her magnificent lush “jet-black” hair. But you be careful – we don’t want a rekindling of your “hair-raising” romance – or do we…?”

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This fiction short story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.
2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

Link to my original post in my Blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/03/i-fell-in-love-with-her-hair-hair.html

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Revised Version of My Story HAIR RAISING ROMANCE written by me Vikram Karve more than 11 years ago in the year 2006 and Posted Online by me Vikram Karve  a number of times earlier in my Creative Writing Blogs at urls: http://creative.sulekha.com/hair_68180_blog  and  http://creative.sulekha.com/a-hair-raising-romance_78177_blog  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/05/girl-who-dumped-me-love-story.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/05/blog-fiction-story-no-42-love-at-second.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/05/the-beautiful-woman-with-luxuriant-hair.html andhttp://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/02/girl-no-3-who-dumped-me.html andhttp://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/07/a-hair-raising-romance.html etc