Which method does the Army Profession use to certify character, competence, and commitment

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PROFESSION—WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PROFESSIONAL

1-2. A profession is a trusted, disciplined, and relatively autonomous vocation whose members—  Provide a unique and vital service to society, without which it could not flourish.  Provide this service by developing and applying expert knowledge.  Earn the trust of society through ethical, effective, and efficient practice.  Establish and uphold the discipline and standards of their art and science, including the responsibility for professional development and certification.  Are granted significant autonomy and discretion in the practice of their profession on behalf of society.

The Army Profession is a unique vocation of experts certified in the ethical design, generation, support, and application of landpower, serving under civilian authority and entrusted to defend the Constitution and the rights and interests of the American people.

An Army professional is a Soldier or Army Civilian who meets the Army Profession’s certification criteria in character, competence, and commitment.

The evolving set of laws, values, and beliefs, embedded within the Army culture of trust that motivates and guides the conduct of Army professionals bound together in common moral purpose.

5 essential characteristics of the Army profession

The American people place special trust and confidence in the Army as a profession that considers honorable service to the Nation its highest priority. Trust is the bedrock of the Army’s relationship with the American people. Our professional responsibility is to preserve this earned trust. Within the Army Profession, mutual trust is the organizing principle necessary to build cohesive teams. The Army’s ability to fulfill its strategic role and discharge its responsibilities to the Nation depends on—   Trust between Soldiers.  Trust between Soldiers and Leaders.  Trust between Soldiers and Army Civilians.  Trust among Soldiers, their Families, and the Army.  Trust between the Army and the American people.

1-25. The Army exists as a profession for one reason: to serve the Nation by supporting and defending the Constitution in a way that upholds the rights and interests of the American people. This is the basis for the Army Ethic, which is the heart of the Army Profession. The Army Ethic defines what it means to serve honorably. Our professional responsibility is to daily contribute honorable service, living by and upholding the Army Ethic in the conduct of our mission, performance of duty, and all aspects of life.

Ethical design, generation, support, and application of landpower, primarily in unified land operations, and all supporting capabilities essential to accomplish the mission in defense of the American people. 

The responsibility of Army professionals to strengthen the Army as a profession and to care for the people and other resources entrusted to them by the American people..

1-28. To persevere and win in war and to prevail through adversity across the range of military operations requires spirited, dedicated professionals bound together in a common moral purpose to honorably serve the Nation. The Army Profession has a deep respect for its history and traditions and strives to achieve standards of individual and collective excellence. Army professionals are a cohesive team where mutual trust is reinforced through shared professional identity—living by and upholding the Army Ethic. This collective commitment fortifies esprit de corps.

The Army’s seal with motto

ORIGINS OF THE ARMY ETHIC

2-7. Our Army Ethic has its origins in the philosophical heritage, theological and cultural traditions, and the historical legacy that frame our Nation. We respect “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,” selfevident truths expressed in the Declaration of Independence as American values and universal rights. These principles are enshrined in the Preamble to the Constitution and our Bill of Rights.

 the Continental Congress created our Army and gave it the mission to defend what would become the United States of America.

Honorable service is support and defense of the Constitution, the American people, and the national interest in a manner consistent with the Army Ethic.

Within the Army, internal trust is reliance on the character, competence, and commitment of Army professionals to live by and uphold the Army Ethic.

dedication and adherence to the Army Ethic, including Army Values, as consistently and faithfully demonstrated in decisions and actions.

demonstrated ability to successfully perform duty with discipline and to standard.

resolve to contribute honorable service to the Nation and accomplish the mission despite adversity, obstacles, and challenges.

External trust is the confidence and faith that the American people have in the Army to serve the Nation ethically, effectively, and efficiently.

Military expertise is the ethical design, generation, support, and application of landpower, primarily in unified land operations, and all supporting capabilities essential to accomplish the mission in defense of the American people.

Stewardship is the responsibility of Army professionals to strengthen the Army as a profession and to care for the people and other resources entrusted to them by the American people.

Esprit de corps is a traditional military expression that denotes the Army’s common spirit, a collective ethos of camaraderie and cohesion within the team.

Loyalty Duty Respect Selfless Service Honor Integrity Personal Courage

 “The Soldier’s Rules” are a distillation of The Hague and Geneva Conventions as quoted in FM 27-10, emphasized in training, incorporated into rules of engagement and rules for the use of force, and followed in combat.

I will guard everything within the limits of my post and quit my post only when properly relieved.

I will obey my special orders and perform all my duties in a military manner.

I will report all violations of my special orders, emergencies, and anything not covered in my instructions to the commander of relief.

The Code of Conduct is an ethical guide. Its six articles deal with a Soldier’s chief concerns as an American in combat; these concerns become critical when a Soldier must evade capture, resist while a prisoner, or escape from the enemy. 

The Code of Conduct Article I:

I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

Treat others as one would want to be treated; or, do not treat others as one would not like to be treated.

Verification and validation of an Army professional’s character, competence, and commitment to fulfill responsibilities and successfully perform assigned duty with discipline and to standard.

A community within the Army Profession composed of civilians serving in the Department of the Army.

A community within the Army Profession composed of Soldiers of the Regular Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve.

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS