U.S. Army General promises to launch military ethics campaign

U.S. Army Gen. Martin Dempsey on Sunday issued a statement, vowing to launch a military ethics campaign in the wake of recent scandals.

In the statement, Dempsey noted the importance of understanding the challenge that ethical lapse pose to the military, adding that military officials must continue to "see the challenge clearly and precisely."

He said that "This challenge didn't accumulate overnight, and it won't be solved overnight."

Just in the last few weeks the U.S. Air Force and the Navy have disclosed investigations of cheating on tests by officers and sailors involved in nuclear operations. The Air Force also is pursuing a drug use investigation, and sexual assault and harassment cases have surfaced across the services.

"Acts of crime, misconduct, ethical breaches, command climate and stupidity each require a distinct solution," he said. "But the overall solution is attention to who we are as a profession. And that's my focus."

The American people have high regard for their military, and in most cases, the chairman said, that high regard is well-deserved.

"The overwhelming majority of our military leaders are tremendous professionals and citizens who show up to serve, to bring their best, and often sacrifice greatly," he said.

"There will always be those who let down the team and the nation, and when they do, we will hold them accountable," he said.

"The trust of the American people, and frankly, the trust our young troops place in us as leaders, is too important," he continued. "We can't afford to let the transgressions of the few undermine the trust and credibility of our entire profession."