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.”
Friday, January 28, 2011
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.”
--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.”
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
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.”
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.”
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
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."
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."
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."
Monday, January 10, 2011
Why I Serve
CH (MAJ) William L. Keller II
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”
My parents asked me why I wanted to serve my country. The reasons did not seem obvious to them. They thought I had many opportunities to work in circumstances that would be productive and intellectually challenging. I could work in places where the pay would be adequate. My duties would not require the constant sacrifices that would come with serving my country. As I thought about their question, I explained that I wanted to serve my country to protect freedom.
I wanted to serve my country to protect freedom as an example to the rest of the world. I wanted the world to see the United States as an example of a truly great nation. A great nation demonstrates that people can speak freely. A place exists that allows people to have freedom of religion. It emphasizes to its citizens the importance of an individual’s pursuit of happiness. The United States could show the world how it citizens could participate in a vibrant democracy will pursuing their own goals. Other countries in our world would see a witness that promoted opportunity for everyone to develop their potential.
I also desired to serve my country to protect freedom for my family. In order for my son to have opportunities to live his life to its potential, freedom must be defended. I recognize that there are people who want to curtail our freedom. If freedom’s enemies are not opposed, then freedom may be slowly eroded or the nature of our freedom changed. By protecting the nature of my freedom as defined by the Constitution, I help to pass this inheritance to my son.
Not only did I want to protect freedom as a witness to the world and for my family, but serving my country allows me to live a life of service to others by protecting freedom. In giving to others, I think I am able to develop to my greatest capacity. Part of giving to others is understanding suffering in the world. I have always thought that it is important to identify pain and suffering and to do what is possible to relieve it. As I serve my country, I am able to use my efforts to improve conditions for others. While I do my duty during deployments, there are many opportunities to help others who are suffering.
Many years ago during a visit to Kosovo, I was able to participate in a project to bring supplies to school children. The school was in disrepair with little paint and holes in the walls. The children were poor and lacking adequate clothes for the winter. There were few materials available. Yet, the children appeared to have a spirit of hope because of the help the United States brought to them. As we passed out the clothes and school supplies there were smiles and a sense of relief on their faces.
When I saw their smiles, I could see how a new pair of shoes could ease their suffering. I witnessed how a coat to protect them against the winter cold could help them to see a far away nation as a friend. Abstract concepts like freedom became real when their feet no longer hurt and the wind’s assaults were softened by a thick coat. Most importantly it demonstrated to me that as I served my country that I could serve others such as these young students and be an instrument to reduce suffering.
Another reason for my service to my country was to protect the freedom of religion. Freedom of religion seems to be a rare thing in our world. Many nations wish to control what people believe for the sake of power or unity. So, this freedom is precious to me. The desire to worship according to their conscience was one of the motivations for the first settlers to endure the hardships of settling in America. As a chaplain, I wanted to ensure that everyone in our country continues to have the freedom to worship as they desire. I also want to make sure that Soldiers and family members have the opportunity to worship and grow in their faith. I wanted to participate in helping them gain hope from their faith to overcome enormous obstacles and to find comfort during times of suffering.
As I explained to my parents before leaving, I am humbled by the inheritance that has been passed on to me. One of the precious treasures of this inheritance is freedom. It is a freedom that is a witness to others, for my family, allows me to follow the religion of my choice, and to serve others. It is the defense of this freedom against its enemies that compels me to serve my country. I want to serve my country to protect freedom as treasure to be passed on to other generations and other parts of the world.
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”
My parents asked me why I wanted to serve my country. The reasons did not seem obvious to them. They thought I had many opportunities to work in circumstances that would be productive and intellectually challenging. I could work in places where the pay would be adequate. My duties would not require the constant sacrifices that would come with serving my country. As I thought about their question, I explained that I wanted to serve my country to protect freedom.
I wanted to serve my country to protect freedom as an example to the rest of the world. I wanted the world to see the United States as an example of a truly great nation. A great nation demonstrates that people can speak freely. A place exists that allows people to have freedom of religion. It emphasizes to its citizens the importance of an individual’s pursuit of happiness. The United States could show the world how it citizens could participate in a vibrant democracy will pursuing their own goals. Other countries in our world would see a witness that promoted opportunity for everyone to develop their potential.
I also desired to serve my country to protect freedom for my family. In order for my son to have opportunities to live his life to its potential, freedom must be defended. I recognize that there are people who want to curtail our freedom. If freedom’s enemies are not opposed, then freedom may be slowly eroded or the nature of our freedom changed. By protecting the nature of my freedom as defined by the Constitution, I help to pass this inheritance to my son.
Not only did I want to protect freedom as a witness to the world and for my family, but serving my country allows me to live a life of service to others by protecting freedom. In giving to others, I think I am able to develop to my greatest capacity. Part of giving to others is understanding suffering in the world. I have always thought that it is important to identify pain and suffering and to do what is possible to relieve it. As I serve my country, I am able to use my efforts to improve conditions for others. While I do my duty during deployments, there are many opportunities to help others who are suffering.
Many years ago during a visit to Kosovo, I was able to participate in a project to bring supplies to school children. The school was in disrepair with little paint and holes in the walls. The children were poor and lacking adequate clothes for the winter. There were few materials available. Yet, the children appeared to have a spirit of hope because of the help the United States brought to them. As we passed out the clothes and school supplies there were smiles and a sense of relief on their faces.
When I saw their smiles, I could see how a new pair of shoes could ease their suffering. I witnessed how a coat to protect them against the winter cold could help them to see a far away nation as a friend. Abstract concepts like freedom became real when their feet no longer hurt and the wind’s assaults were softened by a thick coat. Most importantly it demonstrated to me that as I served my country that I could serve others such as these young students and be an instrument to reduce suffering.
Another reason for my service to my country was to protect the freedom of religion. Freedom of religion seems to be a rare thing in our world. Many nations wish to control what people believe for the sake of power or unity. So, this freedom is precious to me. The desire to worship according to their conscience was one of the motivations for the first settlers to endure the hardships of settling in America. As a chaplain, I wanted to ensure that everyone in our country continues to have the freedom to worship as they desire. I also want to make sure that Soldiers and family members have the opportunity to worship and grow in their faith. I wanted to participate in helping them gain hope from their faith to overcome enormous obstacles and to find comfort during times of suffering.
As I explained to my parents before leaving, I am humbled by the inheritance that has been passed on to me. One of the precious treasures of this inheritance is freedom. It is a freedom that is a witness to others, for my family, allows me to follow the religion of my choice, and to serve others. It is the defense of this freedom against its enemies that compels me to serve my country. I want to serve my country to protect freedom as treasure to be passed on to other generations and other parts of the world.
As we enter the second decade of the 21st Century, it is important to pause and reflect on the Army’s role as an institution over the last ten years of conflict. While discussion about the profession of arms often takes place at the personal or small unit level, there is a movement afoot to take a larger, more holistic approach to studying this vital topic. Indeed, it is becoming increasingly clear that the Army is embarking on a period of organizational introspection through its recent actions. Most recently, the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) published a white paper on the profession of arms, and this seminal event comes on the heels of the 2010 announcement by the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army that the year 2011 will be named “The Year of the Professional Military Ethic.” Such organizational efforts to reflect on the profession of arms will undoubtedly rely on the opinions of the rank and file Soldiers who are charged with carrying out our nation’s military missions. With this in mind, the following essay outlines my opinion on what it means to be a member of this profession. Above all else, the profession of arms is built on an unsurpassed level of expertise in the field of combat, requires Soldiers to operate with a unique set of values, and has an inherent trust with the society that it serves.
To understand the role of the military profession, it is critical to understand its similarities with other professions in American society. The hallmark of a professional is an unsurpassed level of expertise in his or her field – and this constitutes one of the central tenants of the military profession. Much like doctors and lawyers render a unique, high-demand service to members of society, so too does the military professional provide society with a service that is highly unique: the ability to lead in combat. Moreover, attaining such a specialized skill - and indeed maintain it - is the product of years of training, education, and certification. Aside from the baseline criteria that an individual must meet, the military professional is expected to constantly and continuously immerse him or herself in the study of warfare. Simply stated, the pace with which the world and our adversaries change demands that the military professional adapt accordingly through an intense personal devotion to professional growth and education.
Possessing knowledge and expertise reflects the functional aspect to the military profession; however, an equally important component to what we do rests in our organizational ethos. Operating in accordance with a value system that places the interests of society ahead of our personal aspirations distinguishes the military profession from those in the rest of society. While personal benefit in terms of financial gain and promotion often lag behind civilian professions, it is the willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice in times of combat that truly distinguishes the profession of arms. Fighting on behalf of society and willingly laying one’s life down in the line of duty is the touchstone of a broader set of values that the military professional abides by in everything that he or she does.
In the post-Vietnam era, these values and the military’s professional ethic have become highly prized by American society – which is evident in every public opinion poll that assesses society’s trust in its public institutions. These values have been instrumental in forming a bond between society and the military that is inherently built on trust, and as a result, the military is free to pursue and implement those policies that allow it to succeed in its core competency of fighting and winning. By and large, society does not inject its wants, needs, or desires on the military because it trusts it as an organization to carry out the best interests of society. In those instances when society does force change, the military accepts the result and carries out its orders in accordance with the Constitution. This relationship and the trust that the military enjoys with the society it serves is arguably the most important aspect of the profession of arms, as the alternative is a military that operates only at the explicit instructions of others. Such a scenario would prove problematic under any circumstance, but would be particularly damaging in times of war.
In a recent edition of The New York Times, military correspondent Thom Shanker highlighted the efforts of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and of incoming Army Chief of Staff General Martin Dempsey to invigorate the discussion of the profession of arms after ten years of continues conflict. This news should be welcomed by all members of the military, and indeed by the rest of society, as it will spur an organizational conversation on many fronts. Most importantly, it will focus intellectual energy on the central question of what it means to be a profession of arms. This discussion warrants serious time and consideration, and the issues to be raised in answering the aforementioned question will be numerous. In an effort to begin the discussion at a personal level, and in preparation for the conversations I will soon have with superiors, peers, and subordinates alike, I offer my view that above all else the profession of arms requires an unparalleled level of expertise in the business of warfare, demands an adherence to bedrock values that places the interests of society ahead of personal advancement, and functions with the trust of society that is critical to its ability to maintain proficiency in its mission to win our nation’s wars.
MAJ Kirby Dennis
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, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government"
To understand the role of the military profession, it is critical to understand its similarities with other professions in American society. The hallmark of a professional is an unsurpassed level of expertise in his or her field – and this constitutes one of the central tenants of the military profession. Much like doctors and lawyers render a unique, high-demand service to members of society, so too does the military professional provide society with a service that is highly unique: the ability to lead in combat. Moreover, attaining such a specialized skill - and indeed maintain it - is the product of years of training, education, and certification. Aside from the baseline criteria that an individual must meet, the military professional is expected to constantly and continuously immerse him or herself in the study of warfare. Simply stated, the pace with which the world and our adversaries change demands that the military professional adapt accordingly through an intense personal devotion to professional growth and education.
Possessing knowledge and expertise reflects the functional aspect to the military profession; however, an equally important component to what we do rests in our organizational ethos. Operating in accordance with a value system that places the interests of society ahead of our personal aspirations distinguishes the military profession from those in the rest of society. While personal benefit in terms of financial gain and promotion often lag behind civilian professions, it is the willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice in times of combat that truly distinguishes the profession of arms. Fighting on behalf of society and willingly laying one’s life down in the line of duty is the touchstone of a broader set of values that the military professional abides by in everything that he or she does.
In the post-Vietnam era, these values and the military’s professional ethic have become highly prized by American society – which is evident in every public opinion poll that assesses society’s trust in its public institutions. These values have been instrumental in forming a bond between society and the military that is inherently built on trust, and as a result, the military is free to pursue and implement those policies that allow it to succeed in its core competency of fighting and winning. By and large, society does not inject its wants, needs, or desires on the military because it trusts it as an organization to carry out the best interests of society. In those instances when society does force change, the military accepts the result and carries out its orders in accordance with the Constitution. This relationship and the trust that the military enjoys with the society it serves is arguably the most important aspect of the profession of arms, as the alternative is a military that operates only at the explicit instructions of others. Such a scenario would prove problematic under any circumstance, but would be particularly damaging in times of war.
In a recent edition of The New York Times, military correspondent Thom Shanker highlighted the efforts of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and of incoming Army Chief of Staff General Martin Dempsey to invigorate the discussion of the profession of arms after ten years of continues conflict. This news should be welcomed by all members of the military, and indeed by the rest of society, as it will spur an organizational conversation on many fronts. Most importantly, it will focus intellectual energy on the central question of what it means to be a profession of arms. This discussion warrants serious time and consideration, and the issues to be raised in answering the aforementioned question will be numerous. In an effort to begin the discussion at a personal level, and in preparation for the conversations I will soon have with superiors, peers, and subordinates alike, I offer my view that above all else the profession of arms requires an unparalleled level of expertise in the business of warfare, demands an adherence to bedrock values that places the interests of society ahead of personal advancement, and functions with the trust of society that is critical to its ability to maintain proficiency in its mission to win our nation’s wars.
MAJ Kirby Dennis
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, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government"
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