Vice Adm. Walter E. “Ted” Carter, Jr., Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, visited the Region Legal Service Office Midwest (RLSO MW), meeting with RLSO MW and Defense Service Office North Detachment officers, legalmen from both active and reserve components, and civilians on March 17, 2016.

Carter spoke in front of an “all-hands” audience in the RLSO MW courtroom. He discussed the development of training materials for future enlisted leaders, how value based thinking applies to the honor system at the Naval Academy, and how each Navy community has particular, informal trigger points and cultural traditions for determining and indicating acceptable behavior. Carter also discussed his experiences dealing with the development of ethics and value-based thinking, especially as the topic relates to Navy leaders.

Throughout his speech, Carter emphasized his experience establishing the Naval Leadership and Ethics Center (NLEC) in Newport, Rhode Island during his tenure as president of the U.S. Naval War College. NLEC provides seminar-style instruction for more than 400 prospective commanding officers representing all designators each year.

Carter also discussed the importance of lawyers within the Navy, stating, “What you do for the Navy is so crucial, as defense counsel or trial lawyers, or helping people with wills or divorces or even parking tickets. Those things matter to every one of our sailors, chief petty officers and officers.”

Carter was the scheduled Reviewing Officer for boot camp graduation the following day at Recruit Training Command.

RLSO MW provides the highest quality legal service and support to Navy commanders, commands and individual Sailors and their families within its geographic area.