Comprised of empathy, courage, fortitude, honesty and loyalty, character shapes and guides leadership.

"The foundation of our profession is centered on trust ... it will take every measure of competence and commitment to forge ahead," wrote former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno, in a recent press release. "Above all it will take character."

The Army Ethic - an evolving set of laws, values and beliefs deeply embedded within the core of the profession's culture - guides the ethical conduct and character development of soldiers.

To this end, Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, commander, I Corps, will host the 2nd Junior Leadership Army Profession Symposium (JLAPS) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) April 13 and 14.

Retired Col. Gregory Gadson and Maj. Ross Pixler, United States Military Academy, are the scheduled presenters.

The event is organized by The Center for Army Profession and Ethic (CAPE) at the academy; the topic for discussion is entitled, "Developing the Character of Trusted Army Professionals: Forging the Way Ahead."

In 2010, the Secretary of the Army and the Army Chief of Staff directed Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) to conduct a review to assess how the recent protracted years of war have affected members of the Army profession.

The JLAPS' purpose is to talk with and learn from approximately 100 junior Army leaders (E5 and E6, WO1 to CW3, O1 to O3, and GS 7 to 9) representing active-duty, Reserve, National Guard and the Army Civilian Corps.

The intent of the symposium is to gain a greater understanding from junior Army leaders, both military and civilian, to further clarify the concept of character development in the Army.

At its conclusion, the JLAP will deliver an out brief with recommendations to select senior Army leaders.

The service is in a period of strategic transition that presents opportunities for this profession of arms to deepen its understanding of what it means to be a professional leader.

For the foreseeable future, the Army will continue to increase understanding of all aspects of the Army profession, including an awareness and inculcation of the Army Ethic and the sharpening of character development supported by sustained discussion of the topic at all levels.

"We cannot expect our soldiers to live by an ethic when their leaders and mentors are not upholding the standard," wrote Raymond Chandler, III, Sergeant Major of the Army, in a press release. "These (are) values for the framework of our profession and are nonnegotiable."

For more information, visit http://cape.army.mil or call 845.938.0467.