Scenario: Hit and Miss
This scenario may contain explicit language and references to harmful situations which may be emotionally activating for some people. If you need support, services are available through the CAF Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Group Size: 4-15
Scenario
You are a Naval Warfare Officer (NWO) on a frigate and have just completed a live fire exercise with your main gun armament and a tugboat towing a target. You have filled out the firing report and the results of the shoot. Prior to submission, the Captain must sign-off on the results with any specific comments regarding the conduct of the exercise and the shoot itself. As the NWO, you received the firing results directly from the tug, which reports the proximity of each shell to the target. The results of the shoot are satisfactory with several hits reported, as well as some misses.
You submit the exercise results to the Captain for signature later that day. She soon informs you that the results of the shoot have not been reported correctly. In her opinion, they were all hits. You point out that the results of the firings were accurately reported by the tug. The Captain repeats, “They were all hits, and that is the way I want them written up!” Aware that these results will count towards the fleet gunnery competition, you leave the Captain’s cabin perplexed.
Categories
- Principles: Serve Canada before Self, Obey and Support Lawful Authority
- Values: Integrity, Loyalty, Courage, Stewardship
- Cultural themes: Service, Identity, Leadership, Teamwork
- Misconduct types: Abuse of Power
- GBA Plus themes: Language, Rank
- Audience: Canadian Armed Forces
Facilitator’s Guide
Learning Objectives
- Discuss the ethical principle of “Serve Canada Before Self” and “Obey and Support Lawful Authority” in a military workplace setting.
- Discuss the ethical values of integrity and courage, and the ethos expected behaviour of duty in a military workplace setting.
Facilitation Questions
- What would you do in this situation? What are the considerations?
- Allow open discussion from the group.
- Ethical concerns: The exercise reports are used for the fleet gunnery competition. They are used to gauge the competency of the ships in the fleet and thus may lead to assignments that are beyond your ship’s real capabilities.
- Personal factors: The Captain has ordered you to falsify the results, thus discrediting your position as an officer.
- Environmental factors: The fleet is conducting the gunnery competition. The tugboat was there to confirm the scores. Moreover, if the Captain has ordered the falsifying of gunnery reports, what other reports are being modified?
- What is the ethical dilemma in this situation?
- This is a right and wrong situation; it is an integrity dilemma.
- The Captain asks you to falsify a report. However, you may be torn between your personal integrity and honesty versus your duty to obey the Captain.
- What are some potential courses of action that could be taken in this scenario?
- Option 1: Refuse to carry on with the Captain’s orders and explain your reasons. Before refusing the order, you may first want to seek advice from the Operations Room Officer (Ops RO) or the Combat Officer (Cbt O).
- Option 2: Follow the Captain’s order. By falsifying the reports, you are not discharged from your responsibilities and the consequences of your decisions (e.g., lying).
- Option 3: Challenge the Captain’s order. You might be perceived as someone who likes to challenge authority and may create tension between you and the Captain.
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