To those unfamiliar with the field of military logistics, it might come as a surprise that the discipline they understand simply as “logistics”, in its full breadth and scope, is actually Logistics Engineering science. Although my job has me spending a lot of time on the field in warehouses and labs, even members of my own family express surprise when they learn that my academic background is in computer science and mathematics. People who are familiar with concepts such as reliability engineering, forecasting, and data analytics, immediately understand the relationship between logistics and engineering.
After I retired from the Navy, I was fortunate to join the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) and felt right at home. Even more so, after I read their code of ethics and recognized it as many of my own personal principles that I had been following throughout my career. Therefore, I would like to share those principles with the readers and hopefully they will be of use:
American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) Code of Ethics
1. We will only accept assignments we are qualified to perform, and we will perform at a high level of professional competence.
2. We will conduct ourselves in accordance with both the letter and the spirit of the applicable laws and regulations of jurisdictions where we perform engineering within our discipline.
3. We will be alert to the totality of our conduct so that a series of actions, each falling within the technical parameters of the law, when viewed together will not give the appearance of improper or unethical behavior.
4. We will not accept assignments that place us in conflicting roles that may bias our objectivity or judgment. Compensation will not be accepted from more than one party, even if permitted by law, without the full knowledge of all parties involved. Real or apparent conflicts of interest will be fully disclosed to the affected clients at the earliest opportunity.
5. We will not disclose sensitive information to third parties without specific authorization. Sensitive information obtained will be safeguarded from disclosure.
6. We shall neither discriminate against nor deny equal professional service to any person for reasons of age, race, creed, sex, or country of national origin.
7. We shall neither seek unfair advantage over other naval engineers nor publicly disparage the professional performance of another engineer and shall perform engineering within our discipline so as to avoid unnecessary controversy.
8. We shall conduct business and advertise in a restrained and highly professional manner avoiding exaggeration and misrepresentation.
9. We will work to the mutual benefit of the Society and the Naval Engineering profession by sharing the lessons of experience and professional study with fellow naval engineers.