1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:03,040 Hello, 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:05,680 I'm Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. 3 00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:07,680 Our mission is to defend the United 4 00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:10,719 States, and we do it seven days a week, 24 5 00:00:10,719 --> 00:00:12,400 hours a day. 6 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:13,840 It's a big job 7 00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:17,119 and one that requires skill and focus. 8 00:00:17,119 --> 00:00:18,880 It also demands 9 00:00:18,880 --> 00:00:21,760 the highest standards of conduct. 10 00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:23,840 I know that you and your teammates take 11 00:00:23,840 --> 00:00:26,480 this responsibility seriously. 12 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:28,840 I know that you serve with honor and 13 00:00:28,840 --> 00:00:31,840 integrity and that each day you strive 14 00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:33,440 to do the right thing. 15 00:00:33,440 --> 00:00:36,719 But I also know how important it is to 16 00:00:36,719 --> 00:00:39,760 occasionally refresh our understanding 17 00:00:39,760 --> 00:00:41,920 of that code of conduct 18 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:42,840 and of our 19 00:00:42,840 --> 00:00:46,559 ethics and of our values. 20 00:00:46,559 --> 00:00:48,879 I'm proud of the department's ethics 21 00:00:48,879 --> 00:00:50,399 training program – 22 00:00:50,399 --> 00:00:52,399 especially in the way that it makes us 23 00:00:52,399 --> 00:00:54,640 think through scenarios. 24 00:00:54,640 --> 00:00:56,640 Because sometimes, 25 00:00:56,640 --> 00:00:58,480 specific definitions 26 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:00,879 or exceptions for each rule can be hard 27 00:01:00,879 --> 00:01:02,719 to remember. 28 00:01:02,719 --> 00:01:04,720 And while I'm confident that we all have 29 00:01:04,720 --> 00:01:06,960 the best intentions, 30 00:01:06,960 --> 00:01:08,640 sometimes an honest mistake can fall 31 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:09,760 below 32 00:01:09,760 --> 00:01:11,760 our ethical standards; 33 00:01:11,760 --> 00:01:14,240 and that's what we want to prevent. 34 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:15,759 So here are three things that I'd like 35 00:01:15,759 --> 00:01:19,520 for you to always keep in mind: 36 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:21,680 First, we should avoid even the 37 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:25,280 appearance of unethical behavior. 38 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:27,680 We're all role models for the department, 39 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:30,240 and the way that our actions appear 40 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:32,960 often affects our reputation 41 00:01:32,960 --> 00:01:34,560 as individuals 42 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:37,360 and as an institution. 43 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:38,880 A lot of times, when faced with an 44 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:41,439 ethical dilemma, we ask ourselves, 45 00:01:41,439 --> 00:01:43,439 “Can I do this?” 46 00:01:43,439 --> 00:01:44,960 I would also like for you to ask 47 00:01:44,960 --> 00:01:46,479 yourself, 48 00:01:46,479 --> 00:01:49,280 "Should I do this?” 49 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:53,600 Something may be perfectly permissible 50 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:55,680 by the rules, but it still might set the 51 00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:57,600 wrong example. 52 00:01:57,600 --> 00:02:00,560 It still might be the wrong thing to do 53 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:03,600 at the wrong time. 54 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:05,040 Second, 55 00:02:05,040 --> 00:02:06,960 make your ethics training just as 56 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:09,280 realistic and challenging as any other 57 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:11,200 training. 58 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:13,680 Draft real-life scenarios 59 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:15,520 and work through them together and 60 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:18,800 really ask yourself some tough questions; 61 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:20,480 and that will help you answer the 62 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:23,760 question of, “should I do this?” 63 00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:25,920 And finally, 64 00:02:25,920 --> 00:02:28,640 always remember who we are 65 00:02:28,640 --> 00:02:31,200 and what we stand for. 66 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:33,280 Our fellow citizens and people around 67 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:34,800 the world judge us 68 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:37,920 not merely by what we say and do 69 00:02:37,920 --> 00:02:40,560 but how we conduct ourselves. 70 00:02:40,560 --> 00:02:42,560 It's why other countries want to be our 71 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:44,640 allies and partners. 72 00:02:44,640 --> 00:02:47,440 It's what inspires America's young sons 73 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:50,400 and daughters to join our ranks, and it's 74 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:52,720 why people like you 75 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:54,400 continue to serve – 76 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:55,840 in uniform 77 00:02:55,840 --> 00:02:58,560 or as a civilian. So, thank you for 78 00:02:58,560 --> 00:02:59,920 incorporating 79 00:02:59,920 --> 00:03:02,560 ethical conduct into everything that you 80 00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:06,720 do. Thank you for upholding the values of 81 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:08,159 our department 82 00:03:08,159 --> 00:03:10,560 and for working tirelessly 83 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:13,360 to defend the nation. 84 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:15,840 I'm proud to be your teammate. 85 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:19,239 Thanks for listening.