Cord Byrd: “one week ago today, a small ceremony took place in the Pentagon at which the three senior leaders of the United States…”

“one week ago today, a small ceremony took place in the Pentagon at which the three senior leaders of the United States Army unveiled a series of posters depicting each of the seven core values of the Army. They are noteworthy values--Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless-Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage. They send a strong message to the world about the values that shape America's fighting forces. Three days later, Defense Department officials sent a very different message from the Pentagon regarding core values when they took the wraps off a proposal that would relax the military code of honor concerning adultery. According to the news accounts I have read, Secretary Cohen is expected to propose within the next few weeks a new approach to dealing with cases of adultery in the military that would limit prosecutions--limit prosecutions--and ease automatic penalties. Mr. President, I respectfully ask, what on earth has gotten into the leadership of the Defense Department? Each of our services is founded on a set of bedrock principles. I have just recited the Army's. For the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, the core values are honor, courage, and commitment. The core values of the Air Force are integrity, service, and excellence. These values form the moral guideposts for the men and women of America's armed forces.”