What it means to be a Member of the Profession of Arms

            In this era of persistent conflict no other profession has been so called upon to sacrifice so much in the sake of our nation and other nations than that of the profession of arms.  From the hills of Afghanistan to the jungles of the Philippines to the sands of Iraq, the men and women in uniform have answered the call to meet threats as they arise against the US and her allies.  Membership in the profession of arms to me, however, is more than just serving in the armed forces.  In the complex environments which we find ourselves in, to be a member of the profession of arms means that I am a professional warrior, a consummate patriot and citizen, and a leader to all that I serve.  For it is only by living these responsibilities each can I begin to answer the burden my country has placed upon me. 

            Of all the tasks levied by my country on me as a member of the profession of arms, the greatest of these is that of professional warrior.  By being a professional warrior means that fighting and winning my nation’s wars is at the forefront of my training, learning, and teaching. I must be ready to fight at a moment’s notice and that in my thinking stands the old adage, “The first day of the next war could be today.” This does not mean that I go looking for fights, but rather hope for peace always, resorting to violence as a last resort.  This also means that I am not only scholarly and knowledgeable in my job, but that I seek out information and to learn from all resources at my disposal.  Next to my bed you might find Caesar’s Gallic Wars or Fall’s Street without Joy, but you will also find me reading Wired magazine to find the latest technologies--- all striving to learn more and be a better and relevant warrior. In addition to learning I share and teach subordinates, peers, and superiors alike in an effort to make the profession of arms a better organization for the future. 

            Next to being a professional warrior, serving as a consummate patriot and citizen is essential to what I think being a member of the profession of arms is today.  Being a consummate patriot and citizen goes beyond waving a flag on the 4^th of July or standing up for the Star Spangled Banner, it is an attitude of how you live every day.  To be a patriot means that I, as a member of the Armed Forces, answer my nation’s calling whenever and wherever that might be.  I do not grumble or talk badly about my leaders and their decisions; I stand behind them and execute the orders of the leaders appointed over me as well as support and defend the Constitution.  As a member of the profession of arms, how one represents their country out of uniform is just as important as when one has it on.  As mentioned previously, being a patriot and citizen is an attitude that transcends just flag waving.  It may seem intangible, but to be a patriot and citizen means that I will walk with my head held high for I eagerly support my fellow citizens, and help my community, and support the democratic processes that keep my country free like voting and authorized civil disobedience.  Only by demonstrating these constitutionally declared rights do I portray my citizenship and patriotism out of uniform.  It is by these portrayals of patriotism and citizenship that I can truly say that I am a member of the profession of arms.    

            Along with patriotism and being a warrior the third piece of what the profession of arms means to me is that I am a leader.  In very few professions is leadership so critical to the execution of duties than in the profession of arms.  While I may only command once, I will always be a leader to someone and I must remember that throughout the course of my career.   By being a leader in the profession of arms I acknowledge and understand that I must lead both peers and subordinates through my example under any conditions, and not spare myself from fatigue and privation.  Along with leading by example, I must also train my subordinates to be leaders in my absence through my own examples and teachings.  Critical to this leadership is the principle of mutual respect: treating all my subordinates with equality and dignity regardless of their age, race, creed, or gender.  Once again however, leadership is not only defined by how I am in uniform.  By being a leader of the profession of arms I also demonstrate in my private life a mutual respect for those around me not in uniform, treating them with the same level of mutual respect I have for those in uniform, and letting them see how a member of the profession of arms treats non-members of the profession. 

In these tumultuous times the profession of arms in this country continues to be one of the most respected and appreciated careers of our nation.  The idea of “Citizen-Soldier” continues to be a fundamental analogy to what being a member of the profession of arms means to me.  For to be a member of this occupation I know I must be a true professional warrior, a consummate patriot and citizen, as well as a leader to all.  To be anything less than these qualities as a member of this noble profession would be unfair and unacceptable to the people of this great nation which I have sworn my life to defend.

MAJ David Acosta
Student, Command and General Staff School
U.S. Army Combined Arms Center
Fort Belvoir, VA

Why I Serve

“I always knew that I was going to be a Soldier” was never a thought that ran through my mind growing up. I did not come from a military family, I did not live near a military community, nor did I know anyone who was a service member. It was something I never gave much thought about. Little did I know that registering for a military science elective in college to get an easy A would eventually make me a career officer. The more I learned about the military and got to know the officers and non-commissioned officers, I wanted to be a part of such an organization. I serve by choice because I love what I do, those that I serve with, and the country that I serve.


When I received my ROTC commission as a U.S. Army second lieutenant, I knew that I had made the right decision as an initial career choice. It was easy because it just felt right in my heart and in my mind. My decision to serve was influenced by my upbringing, parents’ expectations, and my own desire to do something challenging with my life while I was still young and able. From childhood, my parents had instilled in me that the purpose of education and knowledge was to make the world a better place. If I had chosen to just immerse myself into the private work force after getting our degree without giving something to society first, my parents would have been disappointed. All through my childhood, I can remember volunteering at the local nursing home during the summers, helping out the older neighbors, and regularly attending community events. My parents were active participants in our community and most of their friends were the same. Community life and public service were important to them, so it became important to me. I saw them help those who were not able to help themselves and not expect anything in return. Nothing would have made them prouder than for me to dedicate a couple of years in public service as a necessary path, at least at the start of my career, to build character and gain a better understanding of our communities and the people in them, whether that be in non-profit, government, or the military.

My decision to serve was my way of showing my parents that I appreciated what I had learned from them. I wanted to make them proud and at the same time do something for my country. It was a natural and logical decision for me. For this reason, it was not difficult for me to choose this career path nor was it a surprise for anyone in my family to learn that I wanted to be a military officer. I was serving my country and at the same time I was gaining invaluable work experience and a unique global perspective.
MAJ P. Beausoleil
Student, Command and General Staff School
US Army Combined Arms Center
Fort Belvoir, VA
“The views expressed in this BLOG are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Dept. of the Army, Dept. of Defense, or the US Government.”

Why I joined the Army

There are many occupations or callings that American men and women can endeavor towards.  Some career paths draw people who are intellectual, where other careers are attractive for the opposite and require no critical thinking. Some folks gravitate towards careers that offer excitement regularly while others prefer predicability and security.  Some folks insist on careers that are very altruistic in that they are socially responsible or even of unimpeachable ethical standards, where others may slide towards a life of crime where dishonestly and selfishness are required as a core competency.  In my opinion, the profession of arms promises the best characteristics from among all of those other career paths, yet it demands the highest sacrifice from those who choose it.  Therefore, someone who opts to become a soldier has to be the best that America has to offer and benefits in the satisfaction of serving as a result. I am a soldier for a variety of reasons; chiefly because I think highly enough of myself that I am the kind of person the Army’s high standards require.

As I stated in the previous paragraph, there are a multitude of reasons or motivating factors that lead our nation’s men and women to want to serve.  Many are selfless “greater purpose” pursuits, but just as many are due to the tremendous benefits that come from fulfilling one’s commitment.  A few examples of selfless are duty, honor, and country.  Some examples of the benefits are travel, assistance with (or free) college education, or to gain job skills.  There are a handful of factors that motivate me to serve our country such as the greater opportunities I’ve benefited from, and the pride feel for knowing that I serve alongside America’s most elite young men and women but probably the chief factor that pushed me to serve in the Army would be the patriotism and sense of duty I feel because of the example my Uncle Terry has shown me.

My family has a long tradition of military service as do many other Americans.  I don’t know too much about it prior to the twentieth century but I can say that I’ve seen pictures and heard stories about my grandfathers and most of my great uncles serving in both WWI and WWII.  My father served one enlistment in Quartermaster in the early 1960’s as well as an Army Reservist throughout my childhood.  As I look back, I recall feeling awfully proud of him and awed by the mystique of his uniform.

However, my father’s brother, Terry, was my primary role model for becoming a soldier.  It wasn’t only because of my childish, romanticized perspective of what it meant to be a soldier; the cold blooded, steely-eyed killer who destroyed the enemy on every continent and ‘blew stuff up’.  It was also because as I got older and became aware of what my Uncle Terry had both accomplished and endured during 27 years of active duty in the Army and another 12 years in the Army Reserves.

He retired as a Command Sergeant Major with combat tours in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944 immediately after he enlisted to a combat tour in the Korean War.  However, what makes me so proud of him is that he was an Infantryman on the front lines suffering through the snow and freezing cold as well as the terror of being attacked by the German soldiers at any given minute…whether he was was feeling sorry for himself because of the cold or not.

If that weren’t enough to inspire immense pride and awe in his young nephew, almost ten years after his time with the 75^th Infantry Division in the Ardennes in 1944, he again found himself in combat and extreme peril.

Now with the 2^nd Infantry Division near a town called Namwon, Korea, he was one of the senior NCO’s in his company headquarters.  He was the company supply sergeant.  This normally means that his place of duty was safe in the rear with the company CP and that he wasn’t going out on daily patrols where he’d most likely get into a firefight with the enemy.  Unfortunately, during one battle, his entire company was rolled up.  Unlce Terry’s company lost all but about 18-20 men and him the other survivors were caputured by the North Korean soldiers and made to walk for miles to a Prisoner of War Camp.  He only spent about 30 days as a POW before he and the other survivors (now down to about 10 or so) were liberated by another American outfit.

I know that many have been prisoners for much, much longer than 30 days, but not many can say that they endured the terror and heartbreak of seeing your entire company destroyed, and then to suffer the inhumanity of being taken prisoner.  However, it isn’t a contest.  I am glad that he didn’t spend one additional day as a POW before he was liberated.  After reflecting upon my feelings while writing this, I can’t help but reflect upon the last 23 years of my own career as a soldier and wonder if I have met the standard he set for me and if I’ve made him proud.

So, while I didn’t join the Army to travel or for the excitement or to get rich, I have experienced these benefits; in some cases ten-fold.  I joined the Army because I love my country and love my Uncle and wanted to see if I could be just like him; a humble soldier who willingly sacrificed his comfort and well-being for a purpose greater than himself which, I have learned, reaps a reward of pride and selfless service that 99% of Americans who’ve never served will know.

MAJ G Patrick McDaniel
Student, Command and General Staff School
U.S. Army Combined Arms Center
Fort Belvoir, VA


The views expressed in this BLOG are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Dept. of the Army, Dept. of Defense, or the U.S. Government.

Why I Serve

CPT Ranjini Danaraj

Student, CGSC

Fort Belvoir, VA

"The views expressed in this BLOG are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, or the US Government."

To serve your country in the military sounds like a completely altruistic endeavor.  Many Americans associate this with the threat of death or serious injury, extended periods of time away from loved ones, long hours, and working conditions that aren’t always ideal.  While service members do contend with these facets, what is often understated are the numerous advantages provided to service members through their commitment to the country.  My nine years of service can be characterized by these advantages and are at the heart of why I serve.  I choose to serve my country because I’m committed to our national ideals, the Army provides endless opportunities, and the challenging environment is refreshing.

The United States of America is a fantastic country.  It is a country where anyone can make something out of nothing, where innovation continues to flourish, where people can boisterously voice their opinions, where essential services are accessible, and where people feel safe.  These are not hallmarks of every country in the world, but hallmarks provided through the blood, sweat, and tears of service members throughout our nation’s history.  It is an overused adage, but a relevant one, “freedom isn’t free.”  I subscribe to it.  I recognize that the privileges afforded by the constitution and opportunities I have in my life would not be possible without the sacrifices of those in uniform and I am absolutely willing to contribute to this collective effort.  I am truly proud to wear the uniform and serve in a values based organization whose achievement is far more valuable than the corporate bottom line.  While I am fulfilling my patriotic obligation, this rationale can much better be characterized as a commitment to the principles on which the nation was founded and continues to thrive. 

Malcom Gladwell describes successful people as being products of “cumulative advantage”—people that are provided the right opportunities at the right time, cumulatively learn more, grow more, and exploit more of what this life has to offer.  In nine years of service, the Army’s provided me with numerous opportunities.  I received my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California, a university I could not financially afford if not for my ROTC scholarship.  I received a master’s degree from Webster’s University while attending the Captain’s Career Course, in a program that was funded by the Army and enabled me to continue on my professional timeline.  Growing up, Georgetown University was my dream school and one that 13 years ago said “thanks, but no thanks.”  In May 2011, I will begin a master’s program there courtesy of the US Army, who is not only funding it, but provided me with a much more diverse and well-rounded portfolio to qualify me for this opportunity.  The Army’s opportunities extend beyond the educational.  In nine years of service, I lived and deployed to very diverse areas: Korea, Tennessee, Iraq, Afghanistan, Missouri, Washington, and Washington, DC.  While they may not have all been destinations of my choice, they were definitely environments that exposed me to a life I did not know, gave me a better appreciation for the cultural differences, and provided me a better grasp of the challenges we face globally.

Travel opportunities are a well-known quality of the military, financial independence is not.  As a captain in the US Army, there is nothing that I want for that I can’t financially obtain; I am debt free, I have retirement savings, and I live comfortably.  There are not many people my age that can say the same.  Having the financial independence to support myself and live life on terms that aren’t dictated by financial constraint is nothing short of liberating.  Education, travel, and financial independence are opportunities all provided by the Army and serve as positive reinforcement for my service to the country.  

Many people equate job satisfaction to challenge, growth, and results.  There isn’t a day that goes by in the Army where I don’t feel challenged.  The Army has a tendency to put people in situations and jobs where they don’t have all of the answers, just some of them, where they don’t have the right skill set, but a diverse skill set, and then they learn as they go.  We are an Army of problem-solvers that embrace the challenge of consistently analyzing what the issue is, what resources are at our disposal, and what the best course of action is to achieve an advantageous solution.  This problem solving doesn’t just involve tactical missions or equipment readiness, but human dynamics.  Understanding what is necessary for Soldier wellness, what inspires Soldiers to accomplish the mission, and what is required to change or improve a group dynamic is all part of this challenge.  Some people might find this incredibly frustrating—not knowing the answer or having to work too hard to find the answer, but I find it rewarding.  To overcome a challenge you harness strengths and abilities you didn’t know you had, you grow professionally and personally, and you see the results of your labor.  The byproducts of challenge make every day in the Army meaningful and refreshing.

There are many different service professions in our nation: firefighters, policemen, doctors, and teachers, to name a few.  But what distinguishes military service from these professions is the reluctance of so many to participate because the benefits aren’t widely known.  A service member’s sacrifice is implied; the advantages they are afforded are often unknown.    A commitment to national ideals, opportunity, and challenge are my rationale for service to the country.  There are many more rationales within the ranks, some selfless and some selfish, but all form a better perspective on how military service can enrich your life.  No school, social construct, or belief should prevent this information campaign from reaching the hearts and minds of the next generation of volunteers.  To limit their exposure to this dialogue, may limit one of their best opportunities for a rewarding life experience. 

 

               

Serving My Country

We all raise our right hand, say the oath, and sign a contract to join the Unites States Army for various reasons. As the years progress we make the command decision to continue or to separate. I made the decision to continue to serve my country. Three reasons for me being a part of the military and serving my country are having a sense of pride in oneself and country, being able to develop and grow as a leader as well as an individual, and doing something I enjoy.


The Army allows me to be proud of who I am and what I do for a living. It has given me a sense of direction, where I am able to set, implement, and enforce standards for myself. These standards are a part of my values I live by as a Soldier and an American. During basic training, you are taught to build your confidence through a series of events you have to accomplish prior to graduation. These events set the foundation for building your pride. For example, being able to pass an APFT by Army Regulation, fire and qualify on an M-16, and complete a land navigation course with basic skills taught helped to build pride in oneself by achieving a certain level of confidence through my accomplishments. This level of confidence has allowed me to realize I can accomplish those most difficult tasking given. I continue to build my pride through my accomplishments today.

Family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers have contributed to the level of pride instilled in oneself and country by providing moral support and believing in what you represent. This became evident with the events of 9/11 as well as Iraq and Afghanistan. As an organization we have built a lot of pride in our country by defending our nation and supporting our allies. I am proud of my country for what we have done, are doing and will continue to do. We are a nation that supports its allies as well as take care of its own. The level of pride in oneself and country has contributed to my development and growth as a leader and individual.

Many factors have contributed to me developing and growing as a leader in the Army and as an individual. My growth as a leader is attributed to self assessment, mentorship/coaching from others, and learning from mistakes. Being able to truly assess one self and implement changes as needed has helped me professionally and personally. I have learned to receive both good and bad criticism in order to mold myself into a better leader and a better person. Having mentors/coaches to assist throughout my career has been beneficial. Various professional development courses and training within the military has also assisted with my growth. As a leader, it’s important to recognize your growth and take the necessary steps to develop one self. I am definitely a better leader and person because of being able to assess oneself, receiving mentorship/coaching from others and learning from my mistakes. Learning from my mistakes has given me the opportunity to grow and enjoy what I do for a living.

It’s worthwhile serving my country as long as I know I am making a difference. Making a difference for someone or something allows you to appreciate what you are doing. You have to enjoy what you do for a living in order to be happy within yourself. I enjoy learning various skill sets and concepts and later applying them to my job. I enjoy serving my country with others from different cultures. It gives me the opportunity to learn about various cultural backgrounds. I enjoy being a leader and helping others. I often thank people for recognizing the importance of what we do as Soldiers when thanked for serving my country. Being an Army Officer and serving my country has been rewarding for both me and my family.

MAJ L. Stubblefield-Peak

Student, Command and General Staff School

U.S. Army Combined Arms Center

Fort, Belvoir, VA



“The views expressed in this BLOG are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Dept. of the Army, Dept. of Defense, or the U.S. Government.”

The Army: What it means to be a Member of the Profession of Arms

The sky is dark, the stars are out, and the night is cool. Most everyone is sleeping except for the Soldiers and aircrews on Kandahar airfield getting ready for that nights air assault deep into the Sangin valley in southern Afghanistan. On board the aircraft, Soldiers look to their left and right, quietly rehearsing their mission and preparing to take off into the unknown. Fifteen aircraft, consisting of UH-60’s, CH-47’s, and AH-64’s, depart the airfield with an infantry task force on board not realizing the firefight that is about to ensue. Inbound to the landing zone, the aircrews and troops on board were prepared for a fight knowing the scout teams had already been in contact, but it was not until the last CH-47 departed did the chaos begin. On take-off from the landing zone, the last CH-47 was shot down and not knowing if there were survivors, the mission of the Special Forces, scouts, and infantry Soldiers on the ground immediately changed to securing the downed crew. They did this with no thought for their safety as they fought house to house and field to field until they finally reached the wreckage. Simultaneously, the AH-64 crews engaged the enemy from above while the UH-60 and CH-47 aircrews continued their mission under fire continuing to bring troops to affect the battle on the ground. Though the CH-47 crew did not survive, the Soldiers on the ground and in the air showed what it means to be a member of the profession of arms: fighting for the Soldiers to your left and right, caring for Soldiers and family, leading Soldiers, and maintaining the technical and tactical proficiency to accomplish the mission.

The fight to secure the CH-47 crash continued throughout the night, but Soldiers fought for each other on their left and right and being able to do this is essential to members of the profession of arms. The example regarding the fight to secure the CH-47 crash site is just one example. It is shown time and again how Soldiers are able to complete their daily wartime missions because they want to protect others within their unit. Trust and respect combined with the relationships and camaraderie built within a unit all lead to Soldiers wanting to fight not only to accomplish the mission, but more importantly, to protect the Soldier to their left and right. Building this type of team who will fight to protect each other is essential requiring leaders to motivate, train, and build their teams, whether it is a platoon, company, battalion, or higher.

Leading Soldiers is an essential asset as a member of the profession of arms. Anyone can be put in charge, but it is important for a leader to be able to motivate while providing purpose and direction to accomplish the mission. The leader needs to be out front, leading their Soldiers, and the leaders exhibited in the example were able to do just that. From the squad leaders on the ground all the way to the Task Force Commander, each of them continued to motivate their Soldiers to complete the mission despite insurmountable odds and the losses that were incurred. Leading in battle is just one aspect though as leadership is also important to our profession in peacetime also. Quality leadership is needed as Soldiers are required to conduct a variety of peacetime missions, such as humanitarian support in Haiti in 2010 or when the military was required to deploy in support of Hurricane Katrina relief in 2005. The ability to lead Soldiers under various conditions adapting to changing missions is important, and leaders can do this with a solid foundation of the technical and tactical skills required within their branch.

Being technically and tactically proficient is commonly heard within the profession, and it is critical for our leaders today to be that and more. On the ground and in the air, if the Soldiers and aircrews had not understood their job, then more lives would have been lost that night in the Sangin valley. The military focuses on the education of its Soldiers, enlisted and officers alike, throughout their career to ensure they have the knowledge and training needed to perform their mission. However, it is also important for our members of the profession of arms to not only rely on their required military training but to also seek self improvement by reading and learning on their own. Through their technical and tactical proficiency, our Soldiers are not only better equipped to accomplish their mission, but it also allows them to lead from the front setting an example for their subordinates, peers, and even their superiors.

Combined with effective leadership based on a foundation of technical and tactical proficiency, to be a member of the profession of arms, a person must not only care for their fellow Soldiers, but they must also care for their families. A Soldier’s family is important, especially during today’s prolonged deployment cycles, because they are a foundation and support network for the Soldier. There are multiple ways to care for families from unit Family Support Groups and time off for the Soldier to a leader sending a simple letter to the spouse or parents just stating how well a Soldier is doing. Each leader has their personal technique, but to be a member of the profession of arms, it is important to care for and place a focus on each Soldier and their family.

From leading Soldiers and caring for their families to fighting on the battlefield for the Soldier to their left and right while using the technical and tactical skills learned throughout ones career, an individual exhibits what it means to be a member of the profession of arms. Once of these aspects alone is not enough: an individual must want to fight for the Soldier to their left and right; leaders must be able to build teams to do this while accomplishing their mission and care for their Soldiers and families; and all Soldiers must be technically and tactically proficient. All of these combined is what it means to be a member of the profession of arms. Do you have what it takes to be in the Army, a member of the profession of arms?

MAJ Jennifer Phelps
Student, Command and General Staff College
U.S. Army Combined Arms Center
Fort Belvoir, VA

"The views expressed in this BLOG are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government."

The Professional Military Ethic

The idea of the Profession Military Ethic is one which has been instilled in me since the first day I entered military service. Luckily, in my case, I use the term ‘ethics’ synonymously with the term ‘values’ which makes my definition of the Professional Military Ethic relatively easy to define. The Army teaches all Soldiers a basic set of seven values using the acronym “LDRSHIP” to represent the individual Army Values: Loyal, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. Though each of the LDRSHIP components, taken individually, represent values; I view them comprehensively as the Professional Military Ethic. Each of the seven values which comprise my view of the Professional Military Ethic means something different to everyone. Over the course of this exposé I will attempt to define what each of the values which encompass my Professional Military Ethic mean to me.
Loyalty is the dedication to an organization, in this case the Army, which enables a Soldier to dedicate him- or herself to the core mission or cause. This particular value is of supreme importance for members of the military because the military life is not an easy one. In many cases, the military will ask its members to serve in capacities which can seriously strain other aspects of their life and it is loyalty that compels professional Soldiers to execute their mission without question. Of course, there are other controlling measures that the military uses to ensure Soldiers follow orders, such as the Uniform Code of Military Justice. However, for career Soldiers, the Army ultimately becomes a way of life and loyalty becomes an unquestioned value that contributes to the Professional Military Ethic.
Duty complements the value of loyalty in that it represents a Soldier’s internal feeling of responsibility to execute their mission. This particular value can take years to develop but is an essential component of the Professional Military Ethic because it provides the bearer with a sense of purpose. For Army officers and non-commissioned officers, duty is doubly important because it facilitates autonomous action which is necessary to lead subordinates in the absence of higher guidance.
Respect is a multi-faceted value which encompasses respect for oneself, property, and other. I have come to find that respect is a hallmark of military service which is a common characteristic of Army Soldiers. Respect of oneself can be in reference to physical fitness, personal appearance, or emotional stability. Respect for property can refer to the maintenance and safekeeping one’s personal property or that of others. Respect for others can most easily be defined as treating others with dignity. All of these components feed into the Professional Military Ethic.
Selfless Service enables Soldiers to put the mission above him- or herself. This particular value is essential to the Professional Military Ethic because it fosters a paradigm in which Soldiers are part of mission that is greater than themselves.
Honor is not a simple value to define but an essential component of the Professional Military Ethic. My interpretation of honor is primarily associated with actions; such as, did he or she act honorably? To conduct oneself honorably is closely tied to loyalty in the sense that a Soldier conducts him- or herself with the best interest of the Army in kind.
Integrity is an essential component of the Professional Military Ethic which reflects one’s ability to discern and act upon choices which reflect a basic understanding of right from wrong. Throughout the career of a Soldier, there are many decisions which can result in life or death and integrity is a driving force behind many of these decisions. As a component of the Professional Military Ethic, Integrity is inseparably tied to Honor which also drives a Soldier’s decision-making process.
Personal Courage is perhaps the most challenging component of the Professional Military Ethic because it requires Soldiers to put themselves in harm’s way to complete the mission. However, personal courage can be displayed in settings other than a wartime environment. In many cases, simply ‘doing the right thing’ can necessitate an act of personal courage. In any case, Personal Courage forces one to sacrifice their well-being for the greater good.
Taken individually, the seven components which represent the Army Values are simply characteristics used to guide Soldiers. Taken collectively, however, these seven values shape what I believe to be the Professional Military Ethic. To be a professional Soldier, one must possess all of these traits and incorporate them into his or her everyday life. For officers and non-commissioned officers alike, we serve as an example for younger Soldiers which makes the Professional Military Ethic of utmost importance. Simply put, Army leaders must lead by example and using LDRSHIP to guide our Professional Military Ethic is the best way to ensure success.

MAJ Robert C. Bender
Student, Command and General Staff School
U.S. Army Combined Arms Center
Fort Belvoir, VA

“The views expressed in the BLOG are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Dept. of the Army, Dept. of Defense, or the U.S. Government.”

Professional Development and Continuing Education in the JAGC

"An officer can spare himself many mistakes by improving himself."
--Frederick the Great

As a member of both the profession of arms and the profession of law, I am fortunate to have many opportunities for formal continuing education. The standards of diligence in both professions are similar, in that both require continuing growth in skill and educational attainment. From my perspective, the Army’s emphasis on lifelong learning is one of the most satisfying characteristics of the Army’s career model.

As an attorney, I am required to complete 45 credits of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) every three years. The Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAGC) has always provided opportunities for far more credit than that. As a result, I have never had to pay for civilian CLE, other than to meet some unique requirements in my state. I have completed satellite courses ranging from pre-deployment fiscal law, to a range of specialized prosecutorial training through the Trial Counsel Advocacy Program. I have also completed the JA Officer Basic Course, JA Officer Advanced Course, and most recently, attended the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School where I earned an LL.M. in Military Law, with a specialization in International and Operational Law.

As an Army officer generally, in addition to the branch-qualifying courses noted above, I have had numerous opportunities for formal continuing education. For example, I attended the DoD Emergency Preparedness Course, which deals with military support to civil authorities in disaster or other homeland defense scenarios. I also earned a certificate in Non-Lethal Weapons: Policies, Practices, and Technologies from Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus. I have enjoyed the opportunity to attend myriad other courses as well, covering a broad range of training in Soldier skills from the tactical to the strategic level. I am currently enrolled in Intermediate Level Education-Common Core, which enables future consideration for promotion, and also provides significant graduate level course credit toward a Master’s degree (although, like me, the vast majority of my classmates already have one or more post-graduate degrees).

In the Army, education and training are often synonymous. All of these educational opportunities have been put to good use at some point in my career, whether in deployments, exercises, or in my day to day duties of providing timely and accurate legal advice to the Army. I am confident that trend will continue as I progress to more and more challenging positions. In fact, the job I will be moving to this summer will be covered by a block of instruction a few weeks from now.

MAJ Brian Harlan
Student, Command and General Staff School
U.S. Army Combined Arms Center
Fort Belvoir, VA

“The views expressed in this BLOG are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Dept. of the Army, Dept. of Defense, or the U.S. Government.”

Why I Serve

The Unites States of America is not successful because of a dictatorship, a royal family, tribal warlords, foreign rule, or even anarchy. Our nation was successfully created and maintained by a set of collective ideals, values, ethics, morals, and most importantly, a need for governance for the people - by the people. There has always been a desire to serve our country for the better of the people as a whole, from our forefathers to the present civil service employees and representatives from all branches of service. For over 235 years the United States of America has exemplified what hard work, dedication, service, and the desire for freedom and independence can attain. We all join the service for a myriad of reasons, from necessity of work, educational benefits, feeling of belonging to a profession, family heritage, or simply because we love our nation and want to give back and contribute to the future success of our nation. What starts out as a primary reason may change over time as one’s career progresses and as opportunities arise. Although my initial reason for serving my country is not the same reason today, serving our nation now makes me feel as though I am a part of something much larger than myself or my ideals, and that I am contributing to the current success of our nation’s role in this world.
I started out as the much labeled college graduate that had no idea of what I wanted to be or do after 4 years of burying myself in book knowledge. As time passed and drinking buddies ended up in prison or married with children, I began to reassess my life and my father’s financial investment in my future. After 2 ½ years of drinking myself to death and working minimum wage jobs (with a college degree in Economics from Virginia Military Institute), my father pulled me to the side and said verbatim: “Son, I look at you as an investment, and so far, you’ve given me a shitty return”. For some reason, that impacted my outlook on the future and ultimately led to my decision to join the military. At that time I wasn’t sure why I was joining the military except that it was a steady paycheck, and the fact I was about to have a family that depended on me to take care of them. I enlisted within 6 months of that conversation with my father, not knowing why or how long, but I felt obligated to make a choice based off of that one conversation with my father.
Knowing to at least keep my military occupational specialty (MOS) in line with my degree, I entered military service in 1996 as a Finance Specialist (E4). Once at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), I was asked if I wanted to become a paratrooper – an extra $110 per month. At the time I did it solely for the money, but later realized that a certain “status” came with being identified with the 82nd Airborne Division. As time continued I began to mimic and admire certain NCOs within my units. They were very successful and carried themselves much differently than the friends I grew up drinking with and wasting my life away. They had drive, initiative, physical ability, and were destined to achieve the next rank. I excelled at my job, the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), and developing relationships with superiors that recognized my ability to lead fellow Soldiers. I received accolades as an E4 that were typically reserved for Staff Sergeants and above. I learned that I wanted more and more of what the military had to offer simply through recognition, and the feeling of pride it gave to me and my family. I eventually went on to become a commissioned officer and continued progressing via various professional military schools.
Being a part of the officer corps often means that there are inherent responsibilities and expectations as long as I continue to serve the nation. Although commissioned as an Engineer Officer, I eventually chose to pursue my functional area of concentration, the Acquisition Corps. I felt my time with the Engineers Corps was rewarding, but I now wanted to be a part of the “Big Army”. I wanted to progress in a way that educated me on more than just the operational world within the Army. Most people are not aware of how the Army operates; just that it has several branches that fight various aspects of a war. I understood the operational side, but wanted to learn more of business side of the Army, and how I can help contribute to its success for the nation as a whole. Why I serve now became clearer and more defined for me. I served myself initially for selfish reasons, but through time transformed my thought process and was more in it for what I can contribute to our nation. I also wanted to make sure I had an impact on how and what the Soldier gets in a theatre of war.
The longer I served, the more my viewpoints of why I was serving changed. Through accolades, respect from family members and friends, a feeling of brotherhood, and excellent leadership from previous NCOs and officers, my mindset was slowly molded into doing for others and contributing to the success of the Army, and ultimately the success of the nation. Had it not been for my father’s blunt assessment of what I was not doing in life, I doubt I would be sitting in this course telling you about how reasons for doing something can change over time. The events, situations, and people we encounter along the path of our life have an indirect, and sometimes direct, way of shaping the reasons we serve, or don’t serve.

MAJ John C. Rider
Student, Command and General Staff School
U.S. Army Combined Arms Center
Fort Belvoir, VA


“The views expressed in the BLOG are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Dept. of the Army, Dept. of Defense, or the U.S. Government.”

What Being a Member of the Profession of Arms Means to Me:

When describing the nature of the duties and responsibilities of their work in the U.S. Army, soldiers assert that they are members of the profession of arms. As professionals, they view their work as far more than just a job – they take the Army on as a lifestyle and a responsibility. In fact the Army says that its members are soldiers twenty-four hours a day, seven days a weeks. To be a member of the profession of arms means to accept responsibility for the security of the nation, and to always be prepared to defend it from harm and act in its interests. In order to fulfill this duty, a professional soldier inherits certain expectations and standards of performance for the use of the power he has been entrusted with. A soldier must maintain core war fighting proficiencies while striving to improve himself and his unit. A soldier must be prepared to sacrifice and work towards a cause greater than their own personal self interest. And a soldier must also accept the consequences of their actions, maintaining accountability of their unit and themselves.

Professionals are expected to be subject matter experts within their respective fields. Maintaining such as position involves balancing two competing requirements. First, they must maintain proficiency in their core skills. Second, they must learn new trends, techniques, or skills as they emerge within their field. Doctors and Lawyers attend extensive schooling in order to become certified to provide services to their clients or patients. On top of this, however, doctors are expected to attend conferences and symposiums, read medical journals, and consult with peers throughout their careers, in order to learn about new treatments and studies, many of which may even supplant or contradict previous learning. Similarly lawyers must maintain awareness of new laws and legal codes, as well as court cases which set new legal precedents, which could drastically alter the legal landscape. And so too must professional soldiers maintain awareness of developing threats and emerging trends around the globe. A nation expects its military forces to provide security and protect its interests, and therefore soldiers are expected to be subject matter experts in the field of warfare – to win the wars they fight. An army must maintain its core competencies, drilling and rehearsing its skill sets so that when it is called to fight, it can do so competently and defeat enemy forces. A well trained, professional army holds a decisive advantage when pitted against a poorly trained force. However, professional soldiers must also be open to change, and to recognize when new developments and conditions necessitate a change in doctrine and tactics. Armies throughout history have learned the painful lesson that the army that prepares to fight the last war all over again will lose to the army that has prepared to fight the next war. Military Revolutions and Revolutions in Military Affairs change the way wars are fought, and a professional soldier must be ready to recognize when such change has or will occur. Thus professional soldiers must be experts within their field, mastering the art and science of war as they know it, while remaining ever vigilant to changes on the horizon that may invalidate their training and doctrine.

A soldier must be prepared to sacrifice and work towards a cause greater than their own personal self interest. Deployments are an easy hardship to highlight – a soldier leaves his family and home behind to go into harm’s way, to fight and possibly make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of the nation. Often he must take great personal risk in order to safeguard his unit and his comrades. It has often been said that while soldiers go to war for many different reasons, they fight in the individual battles for the sake of their comrades. Soldiers have performed many heroic acts to keep their buddies safe, to watch each others’ backs. Furthermore, soldiers expect deprivation and hardship in the field as a necessity of maintaining logistics in a war zone. But even outside of a deployment, a soldier faces other hardships. Soldiers understand that they must work hard in peace, or suffer for it in war. Soldiers can expect to go into the field for weeks at a time, all year round, training and preparing to fight. And they must work long hours and sometimes on weekends in the normal course of their duties. The strain on family can be enormous. But this is what is expected of a professional soldier, to master the many complexities of warfare. All of these things, however wide the spectrum of danger and discomfort, represent the sacrifices soldiers make, putting the interests of their country, unit, and comrades above their own.

A soldier must also accept the consequences of their actions, and maintain accountability of their unit and themselves. An army does not exist for its own sake - it exists for a higher purpose. When a society raises an army, it expects that military force to safeguard its interests and beliefs, and to represent it on the field of battle to enforce those interests and beliefs. Thus it is incumbent upon a professional soldier to live up to the expectations of that society, and accept responsibility when they fall short of those expectations. One example of this would be to safeguard against fraud, waste, and abuse of men, material, and resources. Corruption within an army represents a betrayal of its people and its mandate, and of its own soldiers. An army is an institution, and the faith and support of the people it serves and protects, and the soldiers it is comprise of, is critical to its strength and success. Nowhere is this more apparent than in a democratic nation with an all volunteer army. Such an army that loses the faith of the people will not attract the best and brightest to its ranks, and will not receive the support of the government and the people. Warfare today involves a mobilization of a country’s resources, manpower, and national will, and requires strong support in all three areas in order to obtain victory. Such trust and support is earned, and can be quickly lost, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. A second example of maintaining accountability is to act within the laws of war and rules of engagement. War crimes are even more devastating in eroding national will than corruption in a democratic society. Thus soldiers must maintain high standards in the way they conduct themselves, both on the battlefield and off.

Being a member of the profession of arms involves hard work and dedication to duty, and the demands, expectation, and responsibilities are great. Even while a soldier trains daily to master the skills of war, which have grown ever more extensive as technology and the complexities of warfare have advanced, he must keep an eye out for threats and trends which may force him to change everything he has learned. It is incumbent upon a soldier to constantly evolve and seek the improvement of both himself and his unit, while never allowing the basics to erode. Furthermore, a soldier must be prepared to subordinate his own interest to those of his unit and comrades, accepting deprivation and hardship for the sake of a greater cause. And last, a soldier must hold himself and his unit accountable to their nation and society, remaining representative of the people whom they serve and protect, and the soldiers who constitute it. Only then can a soldier successfully claim to be a professional.

MAJ James Moore
Student, Command and General Staff School
U.S. Army Combined Arms Center
Fort Belvoir, VA

"The views expressed in this BLOG are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Dept. of the Army, Dept. of Defense, or the U.S. Government."

Why I Serve

My reasons for serving in the Army are numerous and continue to mature and evolve. These reasons include adventure, financial benefit, operational environment, professionalism, and a resolve to pursue excellence in service. These reasons can best be described over a process that encompasses the last 13 years. This process is fluid, and newfound joys of service accumulate rather than replace old ones. Because of this, I believe that providing a narrative will best illustrate my reasons for service.
Growing up in a university town along the central coast of California, military service was not highly espoused and not commonly pursued by my peers. This, combined with my nature to question what I viewed as “blind” authority lead me to summarily dismiss any and all military recruitment offers to include ROTC college scholarship applications. During high school and college, I was one of the least likely individuals to serve my country in the military, much less what I viewed as the “redneck ground-pounders” of the Army. Nevertheless, I always admired those who undertook adventure, and enjoyed fitness and adventure sports in my free time.
When considering graduate schools for physical therapy, I was intrigued by the Army’s program through Baylor University. I decided to apply but considered actually joining the Army to attend as a last resort if I didn’t get accepted into other schools higher on my preference list. Within four months of applying and receiving many acceptance letters from civilian schools, my mind had changed. I was drawn to the Army’s program by the cost of tuition (free along with salary as a 2LT), small student-to-faculty ratio, high national ranking, and the relative brevity of the program versus other programs I considered. I viewed my obligation to the Army after school as an inconvenience I was willing to endure for the financial and educational benefits. Nevertheless, my new wife and I were ready for an adventure, and so my adventure began. Make no mistake; my initial reasons for serving in the Army were practical and self-serving rather than ideological and altruistic. I’d be dishonest if I did not admit that the Army still provides financial security for my family, and this in some part keeps me on Active Duty. However, as my service continued, other less-superficial reasons were added.
During my initial obligation following school, I learned that working as a physical therapist in the military afforded me a practice environment that civilian practice did not. In the Army, I enjoyed more autonomy, expanded clinical privileges, and earlier opportunity for leadership compared to my civilian counterparts. Additionally, I did not have to worry about asking for referrals from other providers for my livelihood; most healthcare providers recognized us as subject matter experts and readily referred their patients. After my initial obligation following school, I decided to stay in the Army primarily because the practice environment in physical therapy was conducive to my desires. To this day as a physical therapist, an ideal practice environment remains a motive for me to remain in the Army that cannot be discounted.
Although the pragmatic reasons listed above still hold true, ideological reasons now account for why I am more committed to the service of my country now than ever before. While deployed in 2006 with the 10th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad, I was impressed by the sacrifice, camaraderie, and professionalism of our soldiers. I witnessed Emergency Room staff handle mass casualty situations swiftly and adeptly, sleep-deprived surgeons operate tirelessly to save whomever they could, and MEDEVAC pilots and crewmembers drenched with sweat in 120 degree heat, yet unwilling to rest because their mission didn’t allow it. Most of all, I saw hundreds of wounded soldiers come through the Emergency Room, and they were never alone for long. Their comrades and leaders stayed with them, donated blood, wept for their losses, and eventually left to continue their dangerous mission. I knew then that I was an important part of a team. Although I wasn’t patrolling the streets with the infantry, my mission was to keep these warriors healthy, their units intact, and to help the Army project the strongest force possible.
Once I truly comprehended my role within the Army, I sought to serve within Army Special Operations in order to help those who place themselves at greatest risk while fighting “at the tip of the spear”. These soldiers epitomize the professionalism, competence, commitment to excellence, and love for adventure that I admire. I will gladly expend myself on their behalf and support our country’s mission they fearlessly execute. Despite the fact that pragmatic reasons initially drew me into the Army, the sense of service and realization that I am part of a team that is larger than myself now provide the most important and underlying basis for my service.

MAJ David Robbins
Student, Command and General Staff School
U.S. Army Combined Arms Center
Fort Belvoir, VA

"The views expressed in this BLOG are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government."