Ethics Corner

This series on ethics presents cautionary examples drawn from the DoD Standards of Conduct Office Encyclopedia of Ethical Failures.

If you have questions about ethics or are unsure about a certain course of conduct, contact the NASCC Staff Judge Advocate’s office by calling (361) 961-3535.

Today’s story is about coercion.

The director of a naval health clinic received a $3,000 loan from a subordinate after requesting that the subordinate loan him $6,000.

The $3,000 apparently was not enough, however, and the director later asked for $10,000.

This time the subordinate declined. After the director only repaid a fraction of the $3,000, the subordinate approached the chain of command.

In addition to being directed by his commanding officer to repay the rest of the loan, the director was provided with a written letter of counseling regarding his unprofessional and unethical conduct.