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The Army Values and the NCO are crucial parts to the military way of life. When American citizens observe soldiers, they see leaders that are morally, physically, and mentally strong. The Army Values are a core standard for being morally ethical. Soldiers must base decisions and actions on the Army Values on and off-duty. Every soldier absorbed the seven Army Values during BCT. The Army Values acronym is LDRSHIP. How many of us still live by these values? The Army Values are the foundation in which we build our frame of mind. The Army Values tend to overlap each other and can contradict each other in context. One might have to choose loyalty to their commander or duty to your country. NCOs are the epitome of the standard. NCOs lead by example in every action they make. Followership looks up to their leadership for guidance. As leadership, it is our responsibility to train soldiers and hold ourselves to the standards. As soldiers, we should strive to meet and exceed standards every day. The Army Values are not just as a list of words that you forgot after BCT. The Army Values are a way of life. This essay revisits the Army Values and provides an example of each value.
Loyalty is having unfathomable fidelity to fellow warrior companions, unit, military service, and the constitution. (Army, 2018) A soldier captured in the line of duty by OPFOR. That soldier interrogated, tortured, and not giving in is a paradigm of loyalty. You show loyalty to the Army when you enlist and re-enlist. You have the opportunity to ETS but you show commitment to protecting your country. Duty is carrying out commitments, whether written, verbal, or implied. (Army, 2018) A soldier shows duty by giving maximum effort to complete tasks with every resource available. An NCO shows duty by constructing a negative counseling for PT failures. Respect in the Army is exhibiting courtesy and civility to everyone regardless of rank. (Army, 2018) A sergeant calls “At ease” when the platoon sergeant enters the room. This act shows proper respect to the platoon sergeant’s rank and position. Soldiers rendering a hand salute and the greeting of the day to officers show respect. The officer returning the hand salute shows mutual respect.
Selfless service is willingly giving everything in serving the nation, the Army, units, and soldiers. This is without expectation of any form of gratitude or renown. (Army, 2018) When soldiers swear the Oath of Enlistment, those soldiers inhabit the value of selfless service. An NCO exhibits selfless service when going beyond his duty to ensure completion of missions. Honor is inhabiting, executing, and living the army values daily from missions to off-duty hours. (Army, 2018) Honor is setting the army values as a way of daily life. NCOs should have these values set in their lives as knights hold to their oaths. Integrity is being honorable, honest, and incorruptible especially to your subordinates, and chain of command. (Army, 2018) NCOs show integrity by admitting mistakes and taking full responsibility for their actions. Personal courage is facing any adversity, danger, or fear. The path may not be the easiest or others may not agree with you. (Army, 2018) Being scared in combat, and continuing the mission is an example of personal courage.
NCOs are the Army’s hands-on leaders. The following NCOs brought honor to the corps of non-commissioned officers. SGT Alvin York was the most decorated soldier of World War I. Alvin York earned his fame for his assault on a German fortified position during WWI. He captured 132 prisoners and killing 28. (Noteworthy NCOs, 2015) By the end of WWI York had 50 awards including the Medal of Honor. That action exhibited loyalty, duty, selfless service, honor, and personal courage. SSG Audie Murphy is a perfect example of the army values. SSG Murphy was the most decorated soldier of World War II came down with malaria twice and continued to fight. (Noteworthy NCOs, 2015) He ended his service with Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, and various other awards. (Edson, 1945) Murphy’s actions represent loyalty, duty, selfless service, honor, and personal courage.
The Army Values are a necessity to build the strongest morally, mentally and physically military. NCOs must live the standard before they can teach and uphold the standard. Followership looks up to leadership to guide them along the path. Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage are the Army values. Think critically with these values and soldiers will not stray from their duties. The Army Values are not just as a list of words that you forgot after BCT. The Army Values are a way of life. NCOs throughout history have lived the army values long before the values were standardized. NCOs are the best of the best because of the Army Values.
I. References
Army. (2018, Oct 13). Army Values. Retrieved from Army.mil: https://www.army.mil/values/
Edson, L. C. (1945, Feb 17). “Recommendation from Lt. Colonel Hallet D. Edson, 15th Infantry, to Award of Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Audie L. Murphy”. Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audie_Murphy_honors_and_awards#cite_note-moh-15
Noteworthy NCOs. (2015). Retrieved from The NCO Historical Society: http://www.ncohistory.com/noteworthy.html