A Midshipman's Dilemma

Abstract

Although not set in a business environment, this case illustrates a common dilemma existing in almost any setting: Do you uphold an institution's honor code, although it means implicating a friend and comrade of wrongdoing?

Excerpt

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A MIDSHIPMAN'S DILEMMA

Midshipman X sat quietly in the waiting room outside the office of the inspector general of the Naval Academy. He was thinking about the events of the past few months, the academy's honor concept, and what he was going to say to the inspector when questioned about the test. Midshipman X did not know for sure if he saw his friend, Midshipman Y, cheat, so if asked, he wasn't sure how he would answer. He and Midshipman Y were good friends. They were on the football team together; they did summer training together; and they had spent time with each other's family. If Midshipman Y was found guilty of cheating, he would be expelled, and his career as an officer would end. If Midshipman X was found to be lying about Midshipman Y's involvement, he too would be expelled. To further complicate matters, he was worried that if he told on Midshipman Y, his football teammates might think badly of him. And finally, because he had not come forward earlier with his information, was he guilty too? As he sat there trying to keep his cool, he began sweating. He was, he knew, in a pickle.

Midshipman X

Midshipman X grew up in a large Midwest town. In school he excelled in academics and athletics and was very involved in his community. Interested in attending the Naval Academy, Midshipman X had no problem gathering the necessary letters of recommendation. His state's congressmen and senators, impressed by reports about him, called to endorse his application.

Midshipman X chose to attend the Naval Academy because of its prestige, mystique, and acute sense of honor. He was confident that he had the work ethic, integrity, and determination to graduate from the school with distinction, and the prospects of commanding a ship after graduation further motivated him. His parents were proud of his accomplishments and also confident that their son had the solid moral and ethical foundation demanded by the Naval Academy.

Loyalty and Teamwork

Plebe summer, a grueling “boot camp” experience for incoming freshman or plebes, taught midshipmen the importance of loyalty and teamwork. Plebes learned these through various training events; they were also instructed to rely on their classmates for physical and moral support in tough situations. For example, if a plebe forgot the breakfast menu, an upperclassman could command him/her to do push-ups as penance; plebes quickly decided to join their classmate in doing the pushups. As a result, upperclassman would stop focusing their attention on the one plebe, and the penance was served. To help your classmate serve out a punishment was an important lesson because they would be expected to do the same for you in a similar situation.

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Keywords: ethical issues