NEWPORT, R.I. – The inaugural graduate certificates in Ethics and Emerging Military Technology (EEMT) were awarded to four students at a ceremony at U.S. Naval War College, Newport, RI.
The students will also be awarded master’s degrees from the school at its June 16 graduation.
The EEMT graduate certificate program was designed for students seeking an advanced understanding of the ethical and military relevance of emerging technologies and how to apply this understanding to the challenges of the modern security environment.
“We wanted to give them [the students] the ability to think critically about the implications of technology on the human condition and how that technology effects people’s lives for good or for bad,” said Tom Creely, associate professor in the College of Operational and Strategic Leadership and one of the faculty responsible for establishing the certificate.
One of the most important aspects of technology is its use by those who have bad intentions.
"We have wonderful technologies and most of the time when they are invented, developed, created, there’s a tendency not to think about the negative aspects of that technology," added Creely. "But there is always someone who will make nefarious use of that technology. We see that though cyber, through drones, and through other technology."
To attain the certificate, students were required to take four elective courses from an approved list of relevant courses in ethics and technology and complete a professional paper over their 10-month stay at the school.
Twenty students applied to be part of the program last fall and seven were selected.
Graduates were Maj. Amanda Del Re, Army, Lt. Col. Dennis Phillips, Air Force, John Ramiccio, Free Robinson, civilian.
The school plans to offer the course again this fall with the number of seats expanding to 10 or more, according to Creely.
With any new field, the curriculum stretches boundaries for students.
“Our objective is to get people thinking outside of their comfort zones,” he said. “And I think we did that.”
Students normally are required to take three electives over that same period. These electives are in addition to all required master’s degree coursework in the school’s three departments, Joint Military Operations, National Security Affairs, and Strategy and Policy.
The additional coursework was a burden, but worth the effort according to one of the students.
“It was challenging but definitely worth it,” said Del Re, one of the graduates. “I learned a lot about a subject that I would not have been able to explore through the regular curriculum. I would like to continue learning about this topic and then advocate for making sure that we fully understand technologies before we employ them.”
Creely was happy with how this initial class progressed.
“This is exciting and I really like the way the class and the students’ papers turned out,” he said. We are all quite proud of our students and proud of the faculty and staff who have given so much to make this a success. Everyone worked as a team.”
The students were challenged on many academic and personal areas.
“Our goal was to bring men and women into the program to enhance their leadership skills so we had to bring them from thinking about good and bad, right and wrong to a higher level of thinking,” added Creely. “We are dealing with complex situations in combat for these Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen and civilians.”
In order to improve the new program, Creely said administrators will evaluate the students’ program reviews and alter it to better suit the expectations of the students if needed. For a first-time course, gathering feedback is a vital step to improving the course for future classes.
The EEMT certificate is the only graduate certificate offered by the school and may be the only certificate on the ethics of emerging technologies offered nationally, according to Creely.
NWC is an upper-level professional military education institution that includes a one-year resident program that graduates 600 resident students a year, and a multifaceted distance education program that graduates more than 1,000 students per year. Its missions include educating and developing leaders, helping define the future of the Navy, supporting combat readiness, and strengthening maritime partnerships. Students earn Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) credit and either a diploma or a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies or Defense and Strategic Studies. Established in 1884, U.S. Naval War College is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. More than 50,000 students have graduated since its first class of nine students in 1885 and about 300 of today’s active duty admirals, generals and senior executive service leaders are alumni.