Essay On Profession Of Arms

Professionals from various fields work together to build a structurally sound foundation that cannot be shaken. This foundation is the cornerstone on which the Profession of Arms relies. The Army’s professional expertise are rallied in four branches: military-technical expertise, human development expertise, moral-ethical expertise and political-cultural expertise. They are broad areas that allow the Army to operate as a force.

As the Army transitions from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, the organization is well served to take a long look in the mirror. After ten plus years of deployments, our combat tested warriors are sure to possess more than enough valuable knowledge to reinforce and improve upon our status as a profession. A TRADOC published paper explains “to be a professional is to understand, embrace, and competently practice the expertise of the profession.” I believe the profession of arms exists and there are many components that reinforce this argument. Among these components, initial entry training and institutional learning, shared values, and a monopoly on our mission are three of the most important tenants. All Soldiers must graduate

The question we must ask ourselves is what exactly the Profession of Arms is and what is our role as Human Resource Sergeants (HR Sergeants) what is it that we bring to the fight, what’s our contribution to the Army’s overall objective. As we emerge from years of war, from constant back to back deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, we find ourselves in an era of persistent conflicts where we find ourselves embroiled in conflicts all around the world. In a world that seems more dangerous today than it was yesterday it is important we remain vigilant and remain capable of fighting and winning our nations wars. We must never forget the ethics instilled upon us by the Army. We must hold fast to our Army Values to which our profession is

They also have to remain connected with the evolving needs of the professionals within. Leadership requires the ability to the exact state of personnel readiness at all times. Personnel readiness has to be at a constant maximum. When the Profession of Arms wants to have a sense of personnel readiness, it turns to it Adjutant General (AG) Corps. The AG Corps looks to its HR personnel to sustain the warfighting function. HR personnel are the keys to providing exceptional support to the Profession of Arms.

The core responsibility of the Human Resources (HR) Sergeant in the Profession of Arms is to support the Soldiers in a division level command. The HR Sergeant is responsible for all administrative functions such as personnel actions, financial and personnel accountability, records review, types all correspondence, processes operational orders for tasking, and prepares and processes enlisted actions. These are just a few of the many responsibilities of the HR Sergeants. HR Sergeants are not only responsible for the administrative support of their Soldiers, but have a duty to be a tactically proficient Soldier themselves. They are required to meet all the same standards of basic combat training. They are essential players in the success of all missions by ensuring the readiness of all Soldiers. “The profession requires unwavering, deeply held values on which to base ethic. Those values, when well internalized, are manifested in the character of individual professionals” (The Profession of Arms, 2010).

The PoA white paper defines the Profession, more specifically, the Profession of Arms, by calling it “a vocation comprised of experts certified in the ethical application of land combat power, serving under civilian authority, entrusted to defend the Constitution and the rights and interests of the American people.” (U.S. Army Combined Arms Center. Center for the Army Profession and Ethic. United States. Army Training and Doctrine Command, 2010, p. 7). In order to belong to this exclusive organization, Soldiers must possess certain key attributes. This will help carry the Profession for years to come. In the Profession of Arms, Soldiers must be willing to embrace the four key attributes (Development, Expertise, Service, and Values). This is necessary in order to establish “trust,” the most important attribute to ensure the livelihood of the Army as an institution. Our profession, in order to exist, must absolutely establish trust, not only within its ranks, but also with the Soldiers’ families and with other civil institutions, something that should be front and center in the development of our future

An Infantry man, Tanker, Cavalry Scout, Apache Pilot and so on, will not be as effective if they have to worry about a pay issue, family matters at home, or promotion. Human Resource professionals are the ones that can help alleviate those issues by ensuring the Soldier gets paid or gets their pay issue resolved promptly. Human Resource professionals are the keepers of the Commanders Programs. Many of the Commanders Programs deal directly with Soldier family issues and ways to assist the Soldier’s family (Headquarters, 2014). Human Resource professionals are the keepers of the Soldier’s administrative records. They ensure accuracy for the Soldier’s record that goes before a promotion board. Human Resource Sergeants and Specialist must be diligent, accurate, knowledgeable, and timely if they are to keep our fellow servants minds at ease.

To understand whether the Army is a profession of arms, we must understand the term profession and what it takes to be a professional. “Professions use inspirational, intrinsic factors like the life-long pursuit of expert knowledge, the privilege and honor of service, camaraderie, and the status of membership in an ancient, honorable, and revered occupation. This is what motivates true professionals; it‘s why a profession like ours is

U.S. Army An Army White Pages: The Profession of Arms. TRADOC: Center for the Army Professional and Ethic, 2010.

The Army needs strong leaders and knowledgeable soldiers. “Effectiveness, rather than pure efficiency, is the key to the work of professionals.” (pg.2) Effectiveness is a simple concepts that explains how a human resource NCO will be proficient as an Army Professional.

A Profession of Arms. It is a title that the United States Army currently holds. A Profession that is uniquely separates us based on the lethality of our weapons and operations. Many factors are involved that make what we do in the Army a Profession and not just a job or an occupation. To maintain this idea that what we do is a Profession takes understanding what a Profession is, a tenuous balance by leadership and the culture of the professionals within. As a Human Resource Sergeants, we do not carry the Arms that grant us our lethality, yet we still have a vital role within this Profession of Arms.

An Army White Paper: The Profession of Arms details an in-depth analysis into what it means for the Army to be a ‘Profession of Arms’ and what it means to be a ‘Professional Soldier’. It is not an authorative article nor is it directive, but more of an actual point of discussion. It all allows the reader to apply some critical thinking to the subject matter and to form their own assessment, as well as applying the role of a Human Resources Sergeant to the subject matter.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a summary of an Army white paper, the “Profession of Arms.” The U.S. Army should be “The Profession of Arms” and each soldier should be “The Professional Soldier.” (U.S. Army, 2010). It is important for “The Profession of Arms” to develop expertise, trust, development values, and service at the organizational level (U.S. Army, 2010) l. Also, it is crucial for “The Professional Soldier” to develop skill, trust, leadership, character, and duty at the individual level (U.S. Army, 2010). So, the “Profession of Arms” is comprised of experts and experienced soldiers who dedicate their lives to defend the U.S. Constitution and the American way of life (U.S. Army, 2010).

This would not only apply to the Army as a whole, but to the Human Resources Sergeant. Transparency and open dialogue is the main aspect of their life. Human Resources Sergeants have a difficult job of maintaining all aspects of records for the Soldiers within the unit. This job takes a toll on the Human Resources Sergeant at times but with the transparency and resiliency training, the Sergeants find a means to accomplish the overall goal. Professionalism is the overall goal strived to reach by the Human Resources Sergeant, which is maintained at all times within the MOS.

Clasp fingers together with your thumbs pointing down, round your shoulders as you reach your hands forward