Synopsis Of Army White Paper

Having to cope with transition in Iraq or Afganistan is a test of combat skills, knowledge to execute, and a reinforcement of maintaining the true profession of the seven Army Values. It is my belief, that the core of the Army Profession of Arms is comprised of all seven beginning with Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.

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.

Characterizing the Army as a profession is a widely debated issue. Some attest that the military employs a small cadre of professionals, yet this does not qualify the entire vocation as a profession. Others are not so kind and paint a picture of mindless robots simply following orders. The debate rages because it is fundamentally difficult to find an absolute definition for a profession. This troublesome task is further exasperated because the trust of the public ultimately certifies a profession. Nevertheless, the principle characteristic that remains constant to all professions is that they possess a guiding ethic that controls the effective application of their expertise.1 The Army constitutes a profession because it possesses an

b. Chapter 2, “Our Profession,” discusses the essential aspects which make the Army a unique profession. It highlights that trust is required both inside and outside of the profession for the Army to fulfill its

Officers must guide their units by making informed decisions that are abreast with the Army Values and Warrior Ethos. Officers are tasked with implementing relevant training that stays aligned with an ever-changing enemy. As the enemy evolves, so does the Army’s way of combat. As an officer entrusted with the development and success of a unit, they must continue to educate themselves on current adaptation measures executed by both the enemy and the Army. Officers are also responsible for establishing policies that outline actions for good order and discipline within the unit. Many of these policies aide leaders in managing resources within their sections and balancing risks while completing effective and efficient training.

As with any profession, the factors are changing, and the knowledge and procedures are continually updated as well. The medical profession does not practice medicine the way it did two hundred years ago, and neither does the military. By staying current and preparing for future changes, leaders in the Profession of Arms can better prepare to lead troops in defense of the nation.

The preeminent military task, and what separates [the military profession] from all other occupations, is that soldiers are routinely prepared to kill…in addition to killing and preparing to kill, the soldier has two other principal duties…some soldiers die and, when they are

Warfare is a devastating quality of the human condition. Nowhere in nature do other species hunt and kill their fellow members for political reasons and at a mass scale. Attempts to systemize and standardize the rules and regulations of warfare are difficult if not impossible to appease every key player involve. The purpose of this essay is to examine the rules of engagement of warfare as a guiding principle that is subjective and not uniform throughout the system of war itself. This inconsistency will be discussed by presenting the Vietnam War through six different levels of perception located in the chain of command. This exercise will prove that each segment of the war fighting contingency has its own subjective reasons to follow rules of engagement.

In the army field profession, its culture is characterized by a desire for stability, formal roles and teamwork between the soldiers. On the other hand, the army’s professional culture focus on flexibility, participation and a long-term emphasis on professional development coupled with acquisition of professional skills and knowledge. Similarly, the army profession upholds trust within the army field and ensuring consistence within the ethics of the army (According to Snider, 2014).

The Profession of Arms calling is unique because of the lethality of our weapons and operations day to day. We as Soldiers are tasked to do many things but the core purpose and reason the Army exist is to apply lethal force. The moral implications of being a professional Soldier could not be greater and compel us to be diligent in our examination of what it means to be a profession, and a professional Soldier. Some believe that only officers were professional but while rebuilding the “hollow” Army, professional status was extended beyond the officer corps and was earned through the professional development by Warrant Officers, Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) and Army

Profession of Arms is composed of trained military experts that hold the highest regard in effectiveness, professionalism, and ethics. With the ever changing times, professions are continuously evolving, as well as the demand for progressive training. Professionals must ensure their skill training is updated along with the systems used within their field. The professions also must uphold their basic soldier skills as well as their corresponding abilities in leadership. Unlike civilians, it is often forgotten that military professionals must hold a multitude of expertise needed for combat and within their occupation.

I agree with the author’s argument about the importance of understanding and studying force management because it grounds three broad concepts: to develop strategic thinking, emphasize professional development, and remarks on the importance of the military as an instrument of national power. The first reason is because the military is an important instrument of national power. Organizationally, the Army possesses valuable resources: human, finance, technological, and all materiel needed. Understanding properly the organizational processes, officers are able to better determine force requirements, means of resource allocation, and assess the use of these resources. It also facilitates to recognize how organization, integration, decision making,

As an institution, the military organizations demonstrated key norms and values transcending self-interest, i.e. service. After the dissolution of the draft and the construction of the all-volunteer force, these institutional features seem to be evolving towards

As we progress thru our military careers these stages then becomes a quest for moral development and should be undertaken by those cognizant of its stages, aware of its implications, and respectful of our collective inherited military legacy.

However, the fact remains that circumstances and experiences can change even the deep-rooted, core beliefs of a person. The reality of service, especially in violent confrontations, is enough to make anyone think twice about the morality of war and violence. When personal beliefs begin to conflict with the Oath and the obligation of a service member, it is necessary for them to apply the Constitutional Paradigm.