Commander Interview

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The University of Oklahoma *

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4243

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Industrial Engineering

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Feb 20, 2024

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docx

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Uploaded by kaylaelliott88

1 Commander Interview The Ethical Issue The principal ethical predicament hinged on a comprehensive maintenance verdict undertaken by the interviewee while temporarily occupying the role of a Maintenance Group Commander. The crux of the matter lay in the unearthing of a batch of hydraulic fluid exhibiting an abnormally elevated degree of contamination. The interviewee was confronted with a substantial choice: to employ this fluid, potentially risking flight safety and risking component malfunction, or to opt for the precautionary measure of grounding the entire fleet, safeguarding security, and upholding meticulous maintenance records. Ultimately, the interviewee resolved to ground the complete fleet, fueled by an unwavering commitment to upholding ethical principles and affording precedence to safety over transient performance metrics. This entailed orchestrating concerted efforts with higher echelons of command, apprising them of the situation, and initiating a thorough regimen to cleanse and replenish each aircraft with uncontaminated fluid (Kucuk, 2019). While this choice wielded a substantial impact on operational benchmarks, it was adjudged imperative in ensuring the well- being of the plane and preserving ethical standards in maintenance procedures. Application of LOWD Model Locate (Ethical Dilemma): The ethical dilemma the commander faced can be located within the shared values of the profession of arms, which include integrity, service, and the commitment to protect and ensure

2 the safety of personnel and assets. The dilemma involved a situation where the hydraulic fluid used in the aircraft was identified as contaminated, potentially jeopardizing the safety of flight and the integrity of maintenance processes; this directly challenged the core value of security and integrity within the military profession. Options (Courses of Action): The commander identified several options: Ground the Entire Fleet: This option prioritized safety and integrity by immediately grounding all aircraft, including those on alert duty. This decision was made to ensure that the safety of flight and maintenance integrity were not compromised. Continue Operations: The commander could have chosen not to ground the fleet, potentially keeping up with performance metrics but risking safety and maintenance integrity. This option would have been ethically questionable, as it would have compromised the safety and service values of the profession of arms. Selective Grounding: The commander could have chosen to ground only a portion of the fleet, which might have minimized the immediate impact on performance metrics but would have still maintained a level of risk. Weight (Criteria): The criteria used by the commander to decide the best course of action were directly related to the shared values of the profession of arms:

3 Safety of Flight: Ensuring the safety of personnel and the integrity of the aircraft is a primary concern in the military profession. This criterion weighed heavily in the decision-making process. Maintenance Integrity: The commitment to maintaining equipment and processes with integrity and transparency was another critical criterion. Documenting and addressing maintenance issues in line with ethical principles was vital. Service to the Nation: The duty to serve and protect the nation and its assets played a significant role in the decision. Prioritizing the safety and security of the aircraft was aligned with the service value. Long-Term Impact: The commander considered the long-term consequences of their decision. Although grounding the fleet had immediate adverse effects on performance metrics, it was deemed ethically necessary for long-term safety and maintenance integrity. Decide (Commander's Decision and Resolution): The commander decided to ground the entire fleet, including the alert aircraft, in order to address the potential safety and maintenance integrity issues. This decision was made to ensure the safety of flight and to maintain the integrity of maintenance processes, in line with the shared values of the profession of arms. Self-Reflection The commander's reasoning aligns most closely with a deontological or rules-based ethical theory. They demonstrated an unwavering commitment to following established ethical

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