As many of you know, I have keen interest in ethics and moral conduct–as it applies to military application and in personal development. This interest was sharpened during the year I taught ethics at the Naval Academy (Moral Reasoning for Naval Leaders) and found its way into print in the form of my book, A Tactical Ethic, Moral Conduct in the Insurgent Battlespace. And truth be told, my interest at this stage of my life and career also stems from what, in retrospect, I recall as my own shortcomings in this area when I was a young warrior. So I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting perspectives on ethics and right moral conduct. I’m therefore a big fan of the work of James Owens and his Cowboy Ethics. In particular I like his Code of the West:
1. Live Each Day with Courage
2. Take Pride in Your Work
3. Always Finish What You Start
4. Do What Has to Be Done
5. Be Tough, But Fair
6. When You Make a Promise, Keep It
7. Ride for the Brand
8. Talk Less and Say More
9. Remember That Some Things Aren’t For Sale
10. Know Where to Draw the Line
This is good advice for special operators, former special operators, and just about any of us. Our special operations components all have their individual codes and ethos statements. They all have their place to guide the conduct of our special-operations warriors, yet in my opinion, they are but refinements of these ten tenets of the Cowboy Code. Take heed, pardner, and thank you Mr. Owens.
