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Over the years, the Code of Conduct for the Armed Forces of the United States has developed and changed, reflecting the changing trends within the military and the nation at large. During President Reagan’s term, as well as other terms before his, the code has gone through a number of changes. These various changes illustrate how the Code of Conduct has adapted and evolved to meet the needs of the military and its personnel.
One of the most notable changes to the Code of Conduct came during President Reagan’s term in office. In 1988, President Reagan issued Executive Order 12633, amending the Code of Conduct to use gender-neutral language. Up until that point, the language within the code had been fairly static, but this executive order marked a shift in how the code was written and presented. This change reflected the changing focus of the military towards recognizing and promoting the talents of all personnel, regardless of gender.
Another notable change to the Code of Conduct during President Reagan’s term came in response to the unrest on college campuses in 1967. At that time, President Reagan wrote a letter to Dumke that criticized liberal activism on campuses. In his letter, he condemned “these people & this trash” on campuses as well as “the excuse of academic freedom [that] some of these subversives are using.” This was an influential moment in the history of the Code of Conduct, as it demonstrated the need for a more explicit code of conduct that addressed the behavior of personnel both on and off the battlefield.
The Code of Conduct has had a long history, and it has been shaped by a variety of people and events throughout the years. During President Reagan’s term, the Code of Conduct went through some significant changes that have helped shape the code into what it is today. Through the use of gender-neutral language, as well as a greater focus on military personnel’s behavior on and off the battlefield, the Code of Conduct has evolved to reflect the needs of the military and its personnel.