What motivates a person to serve his country?  The reasons are as diverse as the people who serve their country and the roles in which they serve.  Some serve out of a sense of adventure or idealism.  Perhaps a few serve because they are ambitious, and hope to rise in a position of power where they can initiate some sort of social reform.  Others may be more humble, and serve their country simply because they look at it as just another job.  I have my own motivations, and I am sure many of my colleagues share them.  I serve my country out of a family tradition of patriotism and service, and professional and personal fulfillment.

My family has a proud tradition of military service dating back at least three generations.  As is common with other stories of the American Dream, each generation has built on the achievements of the prior one.  My grandfather and his brother were conscripted enlisted men, my father and his brother-in-law were volunteer non-commissioned officers, and my brother and I are commissioned officers.  My grandfather, PFC Manuel Valadez, served as a coastal artilleryman during the Second World War.  His brother also served in that war, and both were in the European Theater of Operations.  My father, Machinist’s Mate 1 George Valadez dropped out of college to enlist in the Navy during the Vietnam War, where he served in the engine room of a missile cruiser.  One of my uncles also served in Vietnam.  I have proudly served in the Balkans and Iraq as an Armor Officer.  I have also been forward-stationed to Germany and to South Korea.  My brother also served in Iraq as an Ordnance lieutenant, filling the role of a Battalion Motor Officer.    

This common thread ties our family’s generations together in a unique way that most families outside of military service cannot understand.  Perhaps one of my most treasured possessions is a photograph of my grandfather and his brother, photographed on the streets of Paris where they met by chance during the latter stages of World War II.  It hangs on my study’s wall above another photograph – that of me and my brother, whom I met on Balad Air Base outside of Balad, Iraq, during the transition from OIF 1 to OIF 2.  Our family has always been proud to serve as a way to give back to the country that has given us so much. 

Also, the personal, professional and academic growth opportunities of a military career have no parallel.  My career has given me a level of professional fulfillment that would be difficult to attain in any corporate or business environment.  Growing up, I was always enamored with making a difference to a group cause.  Naturally, I was drawn to extracurricular activities such athletics, band, and student government.  Now as an adult, I serve my nation and as such, feel a part of something much bigger than myself.  I find this much more fulfilling than toiling away in a business environment with the purpose of increasing the wealth of anonymous stockholders.  No other career would have given me the opportunity to be in charge of 15 other people and millions of dollars of equipment immediately after graduation.  As my career has progressed, I have always served in positions of increasing levels of responsibility, ensuring challenging me to grow professionally.  There have been opportunities for academic growth as well – the Army gave me full funding to earn a graduate degree through the Advanced Civilian Schooling program.  My family has always placed great value on education, and so I consider the additional years of obligated service to be a bargain on my end. 

Additionally, the pay and health care benefits have given me and my family a modest, yet comfortable lifestyle.  Also important is the Army’s attempts to be a family-oriented institution.  To be certain, my family and I have made significant sacrifices in time spent away from another during deployments, and the possibility of my family enduring an ultimate sacrifice is always present.  But the Army has done its best to make up for these sacrifices with programs and activities for family members, flexible time during duty hours to attend to family needs, and generous leave time.  And in a time when other families worry about health care, the security of having my family’s health care taken care of is a great relief.

Perhaps the greatest honor of my career was commanding Soldiers as a company commander.  They were a reflection of America – a diverse collection of our nation’s finest youth coming from every part of the country and from all walks of life.  I was always humbled and awestruck by skill of my officers, strength of my NCOs, and ingenuity of my Soldiers as they tackled any mission set before them.  Leading them was a privilege.  This experience alone has made it worthwhile to serve my nation.  

            There are a myriad of opportunities for service to our country.  Many serve their country outside the military.  Some serve their country by serving their communities as police officers, firefighters, or paramedics.  Others serve their country through public service as civilian employees of the government.  I recognize and honor these individuals for their service for all play an important role in our country’s success.  As for me, I am proud of my service in the military.  I know that my military career must one day end, but that service to my country does not necessarily end with my retirement.  My reasons for service – a proud family tradition and a professionally rewarding experience – will still resonate with me, and I look forward to continued service to my country.

MAJ T. Valadez

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.”

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."