Tuesday, December 20, 2011

VMI Demonstrates Leadership

Part of being a leader is to put yourself out there ahead of everyone else. Usually physically, but also morally, intellectually, and in general go where you want others to follow.

I wish I could embed the video - but go here and watch these cadets from VMI as they discuss their upcoming 2nd Biennial Leadership Conference, coming 5-6 MAR 2012 focused on Cheating, Lying & Honor in America's High Schools, Colleges & Universities.

"When honor lives, a nation thrives"

Indeed. What an interesting and appropriate step for VMI. The more I think about this concept, the more impressed I am. It says a lot about the institution and its priorities that it would put itself out like this.

Very impressed; check out the program. BZ to all involved. If anyone goes in March - report back how it went.


Hat tip Chris.

7 comments:

Heather said...

Fantastic, VMI! I'm looking forward to hearing follow-ups in March. 

EXW_Sailor said...

My son is a Third at VMI...I'll pass along his thoughts.

Anonymous said...

USNA's been doing it for years, but no reason to talk about that.  VMI is way better.

cdrsalamander said...

G,
What a pi55y little baby you are.  Share with us; light a candle.  How do you think I got this link?

Insecure much?

Chris G. said...

This is impressive, and well done. Good job VMI.

Regrettably, many of these idealists will lie, cheat, steal, or do all of the above once they're commissioned, likely because of enormous organizational pressure. Give 'em a year, maybe, then they'll gundeck a vehicle readiness report, or an ammo inventory, and then it's a slippery slope..."if you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'!"

Why can't the services reflect the values of the service academies?

And as far as Guest's comment goes (re: USNA) it would just be absolutely ludicrous to have the USNA leadership involved in something like this. Perhaps Guest missed last week's post re: USNWR ranking gamesmanship.

Your title is absolutely correct...VMI is *leading*.

Guest said...

At USMA, WEST POINT, a cadet will not lie, cheat, steal or TOLERATE OTHERS WHO DO.

At USNA, ANNAPOLIS, a mid'n will not lie, cheat, steal, or turn in a classmate who does.

Big difference !

RonF said...

I am a Scout leader.  When a Scout advances from one rank to another, part of the process is that he must have a "Scoutmaster's Conference" wherein the Scoutmaster asks him about Scouting and about his life in general (school, family, etc.).  One of the requirements is that the Scoumaster must be satisfied that the Scout lives up to the Scout Oath and Law in his daily life.  So I would ask the Scouts about the Scout Oath.  "Please recite the opening of the Scout Oath."  "On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country ...."  "Very good.  Tell me, now - what does 'honor' mean?  What is your honor?"  I would also ask the same about "duty to God" and "duty to country".  These are novel questions for your average 11- to 18-year-old American youth.  It's plain that they need these concepts introduced to them and that they need to think about them.

BTW - it's the parents' business what their child's religious beliefs are.  I don't care if the kid is Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Shinto, Hindu, Mormon or whatever.  The only wrong answer from my viewpoint to "What is your duty to God?" is "I don't have one - there's no such thing."  Note that Buddhists don't necessarily believe in an incarnate God.  No problem - they still think that they are accountable for their actions to a higher power.  That's enough for the BSA - and for me.