Picture by Tre Shuttlesworth – The Quill
By Tre Shuttlesworth Staff Writer
Several military officers presented military topics of concern as part of the Eisenhower Lecture Program for the US Army War College.
Students enrolled at the school can choose this program as an elective in the Eisenhower Speakers College Program during their master’s program.
The lecture included three military officers that are currently seeking professional education such as a law degree or MBA program through the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The 10 month program prepares these officers to be advice givers for policy makers.
The Eisenhower Speakers College Program consists of writing and delivery of speeches that are strategically relevant to their career.
Speakers included US Army Reserves Col. Robert Payne, US Army Lt. Col. Thomas Donatelle, and US Air Force Lt. Col. Henry Schantz.
Payne opened up the lecture with a speech focused on the mental health challenge facing United States military members.
He praised the responsibility taken by military leaders to step up as mental health advocates, even if the military does struggle at addressing it in general.
“We need more senior leaders to step up and say, ‘I needed help, I got help, and I’m a better leader for it’,” said Payne.
He highlighted the efforts of officers such as former Gen. Carter Ham who sought mental health help when he needed it.
He referenced a quote from Ham, “If coming forward publicly would encourage one soldier to get help…then my speaking out is worthwhile,” said Ham.
Donatelle spoke next on the topic of military contractor organizations such as Blackwater Securities.
He discussed how these defense contractors differ from what many see as mercenaries. He noted that mercenaries are armed combatants compared to contractors who are meant to provide logistical support to the United States military.
While he said he does not support the use of these contractors in countries as the primary means of military aid to nations the United States supports, he can see value in the logistical support they can provide.
Lt. Colonel Henry Schantz spoke next on the dilemmas that could be faced morally through the use of drones that can operate without the use of humans.
He refers to these types of drones as “man out-of-the-loop” drones.
“These things do not have empathy, emotion, or moral feelings. Therefore standards of performance must have accessibility and accountability,” said Schantz.
He concluded by posing a few ethical questions concerning the implementations of these drones.
“Who is authorizing these? Are trained scenarios realistic? Will combat illicit different responses? Will one combat scenario be transferable into another combat scenario?,” Schantz said.
The officers then opened the floor to the questions. Topics discussed include the evaluation of the global threat of powers like Russia and China, the misconceptions of military members and an evaluation of the risks involved with social media usage by military members.
Donatelle addressed social media usage in the military by providing insight into how metadata can reveal important military intelligence when compiled together.
He also went on to stress common awareness for privacy rights that can be sacrificed when terms and conditions are accepted for phone apps.
“We have to ask ourselves, why do they need access?” said Donatelle.
