Promoting Sound Ethical Decisions in the Air Force: CGO Solutions to Air Force Moral and Ethical Lapses

: Recent ethical and moral lapses, defined as decisions or actions not in line with the Air Force Core Values, are not isolated occurrences. Rather, they are punctuated events on a spectrum of behavior. This spectrum exists in a complex culture with competing and conflicting values and interests that can create a moral dilemma for Airmen. Positive and negative behavioral drivers determine the choices of an individual who is faced with such a dilemma. An organization can also influence the individual's decision-making through separate negative drivers collectively referred to as moral gravity. Lapses in an individual's commitment to the Air Force Core Values occur when positive individual drivers are not emphasized in the presence of moral gravity. The purpose of this report is to identify specific actions that will eliminate negative drivers and replicate positive drivers, and thus promote behavior and decision-making more in line with the Core Values.