Collaboration: USC's 2nd ROTC Joint Leadership Symposium
In the spring semester of my junior year, I had the privilege of being a part of the planning committee for the University of South Carolina’s 2nd Annual Joint Service Leadership Symposium. This event brought cadets and officers from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Space Force to discuss artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, and ethical challenges for modern defense. The symposium introduced me to the increasingly complex role of technology in moral and strategic decision-making. Fast forward to the Fall of senior year at USC, I enrolled in PHIL 213:Communicating Moral Issues. Reflecting on the symposium, I have come to understand the ways that course practices, like active listening, moral dialogue, and truth-centered communication, are inherently related to the topics discussed at the symposium.
The Symposium introduced me to challenges surrounding military information and misinformation in the modern era. In philosophy class am being introduced while the class provided the philosophical tools to better understand why truth is under attack and how it can affect our moral reasoning. As I continue my journey through PHIL 213, I realize that the lessons I am learning about moral communication and truth-seeking apply to many real-world scenarios, including my previous involvement in the Joint Service Leadership Symposium. The two key concepts I found particularly useful for this connection were the philosophical theories of Natural Law and Utilitarianism.
According to Disputed Moral Issues by Mark Timmons, Natural law theory is “The idea that certain actions or practices are ‘natural’ while others are ‘unnatural’ is commonly offered as a reason why certain ‘unnatural’ actions are wrong and that we ought to do what is natural.” Additionally, the same text describes states “utilitarianism requires that one maximize welfare where the welfare of all individuals who will be affected by some action counts.” These theories allowed me to critically examine what I observed at the symposium: the impact of misinformation, artificial intelligence, and cyber manipulation on modern warfare.
Military leaders at the symposium highlighted the strategic threat posed by misinformation, which is not just a social issue but a direct challenge to national security. It serves as a tool that can erode trust within the ranks and distort public understanding of military operations. This resonated with our classroom discussions on ethical responsibility and the moral implications of sharing information. By combining these concepts and learning about the tactics used in cyber warfare, I realized that the war on truth is a moral and ethical battlefield, and the integrity of information is not just a tactical concern but a matter of ethical leadership.
Connecting PHIL 213 with my experience in the Joint Service Leadership Symposium has significantly impacted my understanding of leadership, truth, and ethics. I learned that in the era of information warfare, truth is not just under attack but is often weaponized. The best defense is integrity in communication. As a future Army officer, I plan to use this knowledge by fostering a culture of transparent communication among the soldiers that I lead. I will be diligent in verifying information before sharing and setting an example of honesty and integrity for those I lead.
My background in Religious Studies has also shaped my moral compass, reinforcing the idea that moral leadership is not only about strategic decisions, but also about morality and ethics in communication. However, before the symposium, I had not had many conversations in college about STEM-related topics. This symposium allowed me to have dialogues and learn from leaders in the military and professors in science and technology. In essence, these experiences and lessons have prepared me to lead with integrity in an era where truth itself is contested, and where communication, when grounded in integrity, becomes a profound service to both country and conscience. See Artifact 1 - Paper on Female Genital Mutilation. This paper argues why I believe FGM is unethical using Natural Law Theory.
As I pursue the Professional & Civic Engagement Pathway of my GLD, I am reminded that my leadership capacity, professional influence, and impact are strengthened through knowledge and competence. This event exposed me to the complexity of modern defense strategy and how technology is affecting Large-Scale Combat Operations. I engaged with leaders across branches, collaborated with peers outside my discipline, and developed the intellectual flexibility needed to serve in a technologically advanced Army. See Artifact 2 (Symposium Script). I used the script verbatim throughout the event to introduce speakers and facilitate a smooth flow of the day’s activities. This experience enhanced both my readiness and my responsibility to lead with knowledge, integrity, and awareness in a rapidly changing military as a future Army officer.