Honor is a concept that has, somehow, fallen out of favor in our society. There was a time, not that long ago when part of the definition of being “a man” had much to do with the ascribing to and striving for moral excellence. Our republic was founded by men who lived by the code handed down, in some respects, from the Spartan warriors.
Warrior Ethos
I will always place the mission first
I will never accept defeat
I will never quit
I will never leave a fallen comrade
Honor is the idea of a bond between an individual and a society as a quality of a person that is both of social teaching and of personal ethos, that manifests itself as a code of conduct, and has various elements such as valor, chivalry, honesty, and compassion. It is an abstract concept entailing a perceived quality of worthiness and respectability that affects both the social standing and the self-evaluation of an individual or institution such as a family, school, regiment or nation. Accordingly, individuals (or institutions) are assigned worth and stature based on the harmony of their actions with a specific code of honor, and the moral code of the society at large.
There are still some institutions that follow this code of morality and honor. One of them is the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri, (an institution well worth researching). Another is the Citadel, (known as the West Point of the South), located in Charleston, South Carolina in 1842.
The cadets at the Citadel follow “The Honor Code” cadets do not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those that do. The code is based on Core Values:
Honor
First and foremost honor includes adherence to the Honor Code of The Citadel. A cadet “will not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do.” The commitment to honor extends beyond the gates of The Citadel and is a life-long obligation to moral and ethical behavior. In addition, honor includes integrity; “doing the right thing when no one is watching.” Finally, honorable behavior includes exercising the moral courage to “do the right thing when everyone is watching.” The Honor Code is the foundation of our academic enterprise.
Duty
First and foremost duty means to accept and accomplish the responsibilities assigned to me. At The Citadel, my primary duty is to perform academically and then to perform as a member of the Corps of Cadets and the campus community. I accept the consequences associated with my performance and actions. Once I have held myself accountable for my actions, then I will hold others accountable for their actions. Finally, duty means that others can depend on me to complete my assignments and to assist them with their assignments. Duty is also a call to serve others before self.
Respect
First and foremost respect means to treat other people with dignity and worth – the way you want others to treat you. Respect for others eliminates any form of prejudice, discrimination, or harassment (including but not limited to rank, position, age, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, physical attributes, etc.). In addition, respect for others means to respect the positions of those in authority which include faculty, staff, administrators, active duty personnel and the leadership of the Corps of Cadets. Finally, respect includes a healthy respect for one’s self.
The College of the Ozarks has a similar code.
In a world of chaos, gender confusion, divisiveness and stress where the prevailing motto seems to be “Mea Est” (where’s mine?) would that it became possible to return to a time of morality and honor.