(Des Moines, Iowa) Leaders from across Iowa convened at the Des Moines Embassy Club West April 18, for a presentation on ethical leadership by retired Army Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, Jr. The presentation was part of the Des Moines National Security Forum, a program facilitated by the Command and General Staff College Foundation’s Simons Center located at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Attendees of the forum meet periodically at events to learn about issues related to leadership and national security.
Caslen’s presentation, titled “Clarity in Chaos – Ethical Leadership Lessons,” attracted a diverse audience including CEOs, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders from across Iowa. A key message Caslen emphasized was that “Ethics isn’t just a set of rules; it’s the backbone of effective leadership. The choices we make define our legacy and impact our teams and our broader community.”
(Top photo and above) Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, Jr., U.S. Army, Ret., delivers his presentation entitled “Clarity in Chaos – Ethical Leadership Lessons” during the Des Moines National Security Forum at the Des Moines Embassy Club West April 18. CEOs, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders from across Iowa gathered for the forum presented by Brownells, Inc., in Grinnel, Iowa, and the Command and General Staff College Foundation’s Simons Center. (photos by Kendall Krebs/Brownells)
During the session, Caslen used his personal experience from various military assignments around the world, to share vital lessons on creating a culture of trust and making ethical decisions under pressure—lessons that directly apply to the challenges faced in civilian corporate environments. These teachings underscore the seamless integration of military ethics into everyday business practices, reinforcing team building, character, and the vital importance of trust.
Reflecting on the event, Attorney Brian Shust from Nyemaster Goode, P.C,, Iowa’s largest law firm and one of the event sponsors, said, “Today’s discussion highlights the crucial role of integrity and ethics in shaping how we do business. Local leaders in attendance were offered a robust framework for leading with honor and accountability in complex situations.”
Caslen also delved into his extensive military background, discussing his leadership roles during critical missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. He shared how his firsthand experiences in these high-stakes environments provided him with unique insights into the essence of leadership under duress, the importance of maintaining moral clarity, and the art of crisis management.
The CGSC Foundation’s Simons Center designed the Des Moines National Security Forum in the mold of its Arter-Rowland National Security Forum in Kansas City, wherein members of the forum meet periodically at guest speaker events to learn about issues related to national security. To help facilitate the new program in Des Moines, Brownells in Grinnell, Iowa, is the Simons Center’s local partner. Brownells Chairman Pete Brownell is also the Vice Chair for the Central Region of the U.S. for the CGSC Foundation’s board of trustees. The plan is to present at least four programs each year by subject matter experts on national security issues of interest to the business community. The next event in the series is scheduled for June. More details to be published soon.
Command and General Staff College Foundation President/CEO Lora Morgan and Simons Center Director Col. (Ret.) Bob Ulin expressed thanks to the sponsors of the event: Brownells, Mercy One, Wellable, Nyemaster|Goode, along with community leaders Terry and Joyce Lillis, and Bob Myers. Their commitment helps bring these important discussions to a wider audience, promoting a culture of ethical leadership and broader knowledge about national security in the greater Des Moines community.
For more photos visit the CGSC Foundation Flickr album
Lieutenant General Robert L. Caslen, Jr., was commissioned as an infantry officer in the United States Military Academy class of 1975. He served in the U.S. Army for 43 years retiring in 2018 as the 59th Superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Before becoming the West Point Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Caslen served as the chief of the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq, and was the commander of the Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth and commandant of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Caslen also commanded the 25th Infantry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was chief of staff of both the 101st Airborne and the 10th Mountain Divisions, where he also served as chief of staff of Task Force Mountain during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He also served in combat and overseas deployments in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Honduras, and Operation Uphold Democracy and the United Nations Mission in Haiti. After his military retirement he served as the 29th president of the University of South Carolina. He is also a member of the board of trustees of the Command and General Staff College Foundation at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and a Senior Research Fellow of the CGSC Foundation’s Simons Center.
Caslen holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Long Island University and a Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Kansas State University. In addition to his many military awards and accomplishments, Caslen is a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Military Academy, a member of the Kansas State Engineering College Hall of Fame and co-authored the book, The Character Edge – Leading and Winning with Integrity. He was born in Connecticut, and grew up in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. He has been married to the former Michele Pastin, from Highland Falls, New York, for 45 years and has three adult sons and five grandchildren.
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