Michael Sears was the Director of Leadership Innovation at the Boeing Leadership Innovation Laboratory, Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership at the U.S. Naval Academy. He spent 30 years in Silicon Valley's technology sector. Rising from various roles in both large corporations and startups, he eventually became a CEO and founded an Internet media company. Sears holds three U.S. patents for his innovative work and spent a decade as a Venture Capitalist. Prior to his tech career, he served as a Marine Officer, specializing in intelligence and reconnaissance. Sears holds a Bachelor's degree from the United States Naval Academy and an MBA and JD degree from Stanford University. His diverse background spans military service, entrepreneurship, and leadership in the tech industry.

Colonel “J.P.” McDonough is the 89th Commandant of Midshipmen at the US Naval Academy. He is a career artillery officer and has held operational assignments in every level of command including Commander, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. He has numerous deployments under his belt in the War on Terror as commanding officer of artillery units, and embedded training with the Afghan National Army. Besides Staff and Joint tours, he served as a modeling and simulation analyst for multiple simulation programs at the USMC Training and Education Command.

Colonel McDonough graduated from the Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering in 1994. He earned a master’s degree in virtual environments, modeling and simulation from the Naval Postgraduate School, and graduated with distinction from the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy at National Defense University.

Doctor Samara Firebaugh is the Academic Dean and Provost at the United States Naval Academy. In that role, she is responsible for the entire academic program for the 4,400-member Brigade of Midshipmen, oversees nearly 600 faculty members, and serves as the primary source of information and advice for the Superintendent regarding the education of midshipmen. 

Professor Firebaugh graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1995.  She received her Masters and PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1997 and 2001, respectively, both also in Electrical Engineering. Dr. Firebaugh’s area of scholarship is microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and particularly in integrated sensors and micro robotics. She is the 2014 recipient of the Class of 1951 Civilian Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the 2012 recipient of the Raouf Award for Excellence in Engineering Teaching. 

Dr. Joe Thomas serves as the Director, VADM James B. Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership at the US Naval Academy.  A retired Marine, he served previously as the Class of 1961 Professor of Leadership Education at USNA and as Director, MajGen John A. Lejeune Leadership Institute at Marine Corps University. In addition, he’s taught at the University of Notre Dame, University of Maryland, George Washington University and the National Outdoor Leadership School. He has published five books on the topics of leadership and ethics, along with numerous articles, book chapters, and research reports.  Joe supported student research that led to the award of Rhodes, Mitchell, and Fulbright scholarships. Joe holds masters’ degrees from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and the US Army War College, a PhD from George Mason University, and a Certificate in Public Leadership from the Brookings Institute.

Mitt Regan, the McDevitt Professor of Jurisprudence at Georgetown University Law Center, excels in international law, national security, human rights, military and legal ethics, and AI ethics. He is the Director of the Center on Ethics and the Legal Profession and Co-Director of the Center on National Security. Additionally, Regan is a Senior Fellow at the U.S. Naval Academy's Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership. He's been integral in key projects on national security and ethical leadership. He has authored impactful books on Asymmetric Conflict and National Security Intelligence, including 'Drone Strike,' Professor Regan has served as law clerk to Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. on the U.S. Supreme Court and then-Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Dr. Ben Lange is a Research Group Lead in the Ethics of AI at the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich and Munich Center for Machine Learning. He holds an Associate Researcher Position at the Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics at the University of Oxford and a Visiting Research Fellowship at the Zentrum für Ethik und Philosophie in der Praxis. In the past, he was a Visiting Researcher at Google’s Responsible Innovation team. Ben received his PhD in Moral Philosophy from the University of Oxford. In his capacity as an ethics advisor and as a Senior Advisor at BABLAI, Ben has deep expertise in the whole suite of organizational ethics consulting, including AI ethics and digital ethics, corporate social and digital responsibility (CSR & CDR), and ethics and compliance.

Dr. Joel Esposito. He is a Professor in the Robotics and Control Engineering Department at the Naval Academy. He teaches courses in Robotics, Unmanned Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. He is the recipient of the Naval Academy's Rauoff Award for Excellence in Engineering Education, and the 2015 Class of 1951 Faculty Research Excellence Award. He received both a Master of Science, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Joel Esposito is a Professor in the Robotics and Control Engineering Department at the Naval Academy. He teaches courses in Robotics, Unmanned Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. He is the recipient of the Naval Academy's Rauoff Award for Excellence in Engineering Education, and the 2015 Class of 1951 Faculty Research Excellence Award. He received both a Master of Science, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. James Giordano is Pellegrino Center Professor of Neurology and Biochemistry, Chief of the Neuroethics Studies Program, and Chair of the Sub-Program in Military Medical Ethics at Georgetown University Medical Center. He is a Senior Bioethicist of the Department of Defense Medical Ethics Center; Science Advisory Fellow of the Strategic Multilayer Assessment Branch, of the Joint Staff of the Pentagon; a Senior Fellow of the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic, United States Military Academy, West Point, and Distinguished Fellow at the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership. He was a designated Naval Aerospace Physiologist, and served with the US Navy and Marine Corps.

Professor Jovana Davidovic (PhD) is an Associate Professor at the University of Iowa, and a Senior Fellow here at the Stockdale Center. She also holds an appointment with the College of Laws Center for Human Rights at the University of Iowa, and she is the Chief Ethics Officer at BabelAi, a company that audits and certifies Ai systems. Her research and teaching interests include social and political philosophy, applied ethics, philosophy of law, military ethics, AI and algorithm ethics. Her recent work has focused on AI and algorithm ethics in military settings and algorithm audits.

The comments on this podcast represent the views of Dr. Davidovic, and do not represent USNA's own policies and procedures.

Professor Jovana Davidovic (PhD) is an Associate Professor at the University of Iowa, and a Senior Fellow here at the Stockdale Center. She also holds an appointment with the College of Laws Center for Human Rights at the University of Iowa, and she is the Chief Ethics Officer at BabelAi, a company that audits and certifies Ai systems. Her research and teaching interests include social and political philosophy, applied ethics, philosophy of law, military ethics, AI and algorithm ethics. Her recent work has focused on AI and algorithm ethics in military settings and algorithm audits.

Professor Jovana Davidovic (PhD) is an Associate Professor at the University of Iowa, and a Senior Fellow here at the Stockdale Center. She also holds an appointment with the College of Laws Center for Human Rights at the University of Iowa, and she is the Chief Ethics Officer at BabelAi, a company that audits and certifies Ai systems. Her research and teaching interests include social and political philosophy, applied ethics, philosophy of law, military ethics, AI and algorithm ethics. Her recent work has focused on AI and algorithm ethics in military settings and algorithm audits.

CAPT Frank Franky, USN is the Senior Naval Special Warfare Representative at the USNA. He is also currently serving as the Deputy Director for Ethics at the Stockdale Center. Most recently he served as the Commander of the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula, responsible for the execution of the full spectrum, multi-domain, joint special operations, actions, and investments on the Arabian Peninsula. He participated in joint combined special operations around the world. He deployed extensively on contingencies and named operations to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kuwait, Somalia, Kenya, Yemen, and the Western Hemisphere (Caribbean, Central and South America). He was recently honored with the title "Knighted Commander of the Government of Columbia".

CAPT Frank Franky, USN is the Senior Naval Special Warfare Representative at the USNA. He is also currently serving as the Deputy Director for Ethics at the Stockdale Center. Most recently he served as the Commander of the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula, responsible for the execution of the full spectrum, multi-domain, joint special operations, actions, and investments on the Arabian Peninsula. He participated in joint combined special operations around the world. He deployed extensively on contingencies and named operations to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kuwait, Somalia, Kenya, Yemen, and the Western Hemisphere (Caribbean, Central and South America). He was recently honored with the title "Knighted Commander of the Government of Columbia".

https://stockdaleinteractive.com/

Professor Doug Rau discusses the learning objectives of this case study, and presents to instructors and students alike the best way to use, teach, and learn from "playing" these simulations in the classroom, and as an individual.

https://stockdaleinteractive.com/

Professor Mike Norton discusses the learning objectives of this and other case studies, and presents to instructors and students alike the best way to use, teach, and learn from "playing" these simulations in the classroom, and as an individual.

He is currently underwater, literally, where he is doing research on the long-term implications of diving and living under water - the Navy's domain. See Project Neptune.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXr0Inc4nok

Howard R. Simkin has more than 40 years of combined military, law enforcement, defense contractor, and government experience. He is a retired Special Forces officer and holds a Master of Administrative Science from the Johns Hopkins University. His book, Home Run, tells several stories of Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape.

Colonel McDonough graduated from the Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering in 1994. He earned a master’s degree in virtual environments, modeling and simulation from the Naval Postgraduate School, and graduated with distinction from the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy at National Defense University.

Alvin Townley is a best-selling New York Times-reviewed author and Emmy-winning storyteller. Alvin graduated from Washington & Lee University, where he served on the university’s student government and honor council. He studied politics and economics in Europe before working in Congress, managing global strategy for an 85,000-person firm, and leading external affairs for a Grammy and Tony winning national arts center. He is a former Senior Fellow at the Naval Academy's Stockdale Center.

Ryan Bernacchi is a former TOPGUN instructor who served as a naval aviator and leader for 25 years. He has flown more than 4,000 hours in FA-18 Hornets and Super Hornets, as well as the F-16 Viper. He had made multiple deployments flying real world missions from the decks of our Navy’s aircraft carriers. Notably, CAPT Bernacchi served as the commanding officer for a Super Hornet Squadron, and was the Commanding Officer and Flight Leader (#1) of the Blue Angels. We met Ryan when he was the Deputy Commandant for Leadership and Character Development at the Naval Academy.

We colloquially refer to "winning hearts and minds'', but might brain science enable us to "win hearts by affecting the mind?" What are the most cutting-edge developments and probable uses of brain science in such national security, intelligence and defense operations? In 20 years, what is on the horizon of possibility in the ways brain science might be used in such ways?

Dr. James Giordano is Chief of the Neuroethics Studies Program, Scholar-in-Residence, leads the Sub-Program in Military Medical Ethics, and Co-director of the O’Neill-Pellegrino Program in Brain Science and Global Health Law and Policy in the Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics. He is a Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Biochemistry at Georgetown University Medical Center. He is also Distinguished Visiting Professor of Brain Science, Health Promotions and Ethics at the Coburg University of Applied Sciences. He served in the Navy as a Naval Aerospace Physiologist, and was the director of the aerospace training center at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point. Dr. "G" is a Senior Fellow at the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership.

Captain Lacy commanded Navy Operational Support Center Baltimore, near historic Fort McHenry, from August 2016 to July 2018. Currently, Lacy is assigned to the Office of the Chief of Navy Reserve as Legislative Director.

Mr. Lewis talks about the most current efforts of the Planetary Defense initiative and the launch of the DART mission to test kinetic impact on an asteroid. Planetary defense encompasses all the capabilities needed to detect the possibility of a potential asteroid or comet impact with the earth, and then either prevent the impacts or mitigate the possible effects of an impact. He also comments on the global coordination and participation of international agencies on planetary defense. 

He wraps up our conversation with advice on having a career where you are challenged by your interests to pursue new avenues of knowledge, and how that has made all the difference to him. 

CMC Slabinski's operational assignments include SEAL Team FOUR, 1990 to 1993; Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG), 1993 to 2006; and Command Master Chief of Naval Special Warfare Tactical Development and Evaluation Squadron TWO, 2006 to 2008. He was the Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Joint Special Operations Command, Washington, DC Office, 2008 to 2010 and Command Master Chief, Naval Special Warfare Group TWO, 2010 to 2012

Slabinski has completed nine overseas deployments and 15 combat deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism, including Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He retired in June 2014 as the Director of Naval Special Warfare Safety Assurance and Analysis Program after more than 25 years of service.

Gaskin also served with 3rd Force Service Support Group (Echo and Foxtrot Logistics Support Units); 3rd Marine Division (Division Command Center) in Okinawa, Japan; and with Combined Forces Command C/J-3, Seoul, South Korea as the Head of Ground Forces Branch.

Mr. Gaskin most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of La Porte Technology Defense (LAPORTECH). LAPORTECH is an engineering Technical Development Plan supplier with the capability to design, test, retrofit, and roll out new and existing specialty defense and commercial vehicles. Prior to this, Mr. Gaskin served as the Managing Director in Charge of Operation Management Complex of Global Bank in Irvine, CA.

A graduate of Savannah State University's NROTC Scholarship Program with a Bachelor of Science, he earned a Summa Cum Laude Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma and completed the Senior Executive Seminar from the JFK School of Government at Harvard University. His military education includes the Amphibious Warfare School; Army Command and Staff College; Army War College; and the Combined/Joint Force Land Component Command Course.

Ms. Deanne Criswell was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on April 22, 2021 as the 12th Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Ms. Criswell is the first woman confirmed to serve as the Administrator, where she leads the nations efforts in helping people before, during, and after disasters. She brings with her an extensive career in emergency management with over 27 years of experience at all levels of government and the private sector.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Criswell served as the Commissioner of the New York City Emergency Management Department from 2019 to 2021, where she was responsible for coordinating citywide emergency planning and response for all emergencies. One of her most significant accomplishments was leading the coordination of the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to include preventing the collapse of the healthcare system, making sure no New Yorker went hungry, establishing a first of its kind non-congregate sheltering program, and supporting the country’s largest mass fatality program.

Ms. Criswell began her career in emergency management in Aurora, Colorado, where she led strategic change in the city's emergency and disaster planning. During her tenure, Ms. Criswell coordinated transitional housing and family reunification efforts in response to receiving evacuees during the response to Hurricane Katrina. She previously served at FEMA as the leader of one of the Agency's National Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMAT) and as a Federal Coordinating Officer. In this role, Ms. Criswell was the primary Federal representative responsible for leading the agency's response to and recovery from emergencies and major disasters, from severe flooding in North Dakota to hurricanes in South Carolina to fires in Colorado. She also spent two years as an executive in the private sector, providing exceptional technical expertise and the experience necessary to help her clients achieve their critical missions.

Ms. Criswell also proudly served 21 years in the Colorado Air National Guard. She is a veteran of two oversees tours to include as a fire officer in Kuwait immediately following the attacks of September 11, 2001, and to Qatar in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010 where she advised senior leadership on fire protection requirements for new and existing military bases in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Ms. Criswell holds a Bachelor of Science from Colorado State University, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado – Denver, and a Master of Arts in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security.

FACE IN THE MIRROR: An Ethics Code for the US Armed Services
https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/articles/ethics-code/

A Code of Ethics for the US Armed Services? A Counterpoint
https://www.usna.edu/Ethics/blog/2020/An_Ethics_Code_for_the_Armed_Forces_A_Counterpoint_to_Reed_Bonadonnas_Proposal.php

Admiral John Richardson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. He holds master’s degrees in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and National Security Strategy from the National War College.

At sea, Richardson served on USS Parche (SSN 683), USS George C. Marshall (SSBN 654) and USS Salt Lake City (SSN 716). He commanded USS Honolulu (SSN 718) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Richardson also served as commodore of Submarine Development Squadron (DEVRON) 12; commander, Submarine Group 8; commander, Submarine Allied Naval Forces South; deputy commander, U.S. 6th Fleet; chief of staff, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa; commander, Naval Submarine Forces, and director of Naval Reactors.

His staff assignments include duty in the attack submarine division on the Chief of Naval Operations staff; naval aide to the President; prospective commanding officer instructor for Commander, Submarine Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet; assistant deputy director for Regional Operations on the Joint Staff; and director of Strategy and Policy at U.S. Joint Forces Command.

Richardson served on teams that have been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Navy Unit Commendation, and the Navy “E” Ribbon. He was awarded the Vice Admiral Stockdale Award for his time in command of USS Honolulu.

Admiral John Richardson was the 31st Chief of Naval Operations.