The Identity Of A Citizen Soldier As A Member Of The Nc Army National Guard

As a Warrant Officer and especially as a student I am full of outlooks. This class is just the next big step of my career and is one of the building blocks I need to improve my communication and writing skills. This paper explores and exposes all my expectations as a student. However, the outlooks detailed in my paper are not necessary the same expectations and /or opinions of any of my classmates, we all have our share of things we expect from the class.

Twenty-six years ago I a 17-year-old boy joined the United States Army. I served my country faithfully for 22 years, two months and four days; I served in the Transportation Corps. My time in the army was a special period in my life. I gain a lot of life experiences as well as professional ones; the military shaped and molded me into the husband, father son, and brother that I am today. During my service, I grew up and learned several life lessons that would serve me well in and out of the army. To get a real understand on how the military shaped me into the person, I am today; I must first give you some insight into the person I was before I left for basic training. I graduated high school in 1991 just four months’ shy of my 18th birthday;

In the United States Army we are taught to live by the Seven Army Values. They are broken down to us in the acronym ‘LDRSHIP’ which is short for Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage. We are all taught these 7 Army values repeatedly from day one in the United States Army. First we memorize these values. Then we are trained to live by them. All of these 7 values coincide with each other, and play an important roll in our Army lives. These 7 Army Values also play well into life outside the Army in our personal life. People sometimes do not realize the importance these values have on the way we are viewed by the people who look up to the men and woman who are privileged enough to represent the

As a new soldier and future Army leader, you must recognize that military customs and courtesies are your constant means of showing that the standard of conduct for officers and Soldiers is high and

Stewardship of the Army Profession is the last of the Five Essential Characteristics of the Army Profession, but in terms of importance, it is just as, if not more important than the other four. The United States Army’s ADRP-1, or Army Doctrinal Reference Publication 1, even defines stewardship as “the responsibility of Army professionals to ensure the profession maintains its five essential characteristics now and into the future”. Such importance is placed on this characteristic because Stewardship of the Army Profession is the one that ensures the other four are maintained. I sought out the definition of stewardship because despite having spent almost three and a half years and West Point, I was not entirely sure what the doctrine behind Stewardship was. In doing this, I felt like I was better prepared for both this paper and ensuring that the corrections I made were stewarding the profession. With this newly acquired knowledge, I set out to make my corrections.

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

Army leaders must balance the link between the Army’s culture and it’s climate and institutional practices. When there is a proper balance it has a huge impact on the mindset of the Army’s Soldiers. Their actions or inactions impacts the five key attributes of the profession, and the four fields of expertise, and have long term effects on the Army’s culture and climate. These actions influence Soldiers’ perceptions that they are serving professional who have answered the call of service to the republic, it is important that Soldiers understand that their role is a calling and not just a job.

Excitement and adventure are found in the Guard and its many challenges. Soldiers are trained to be physically fit and mentally sharp in order to excel. "The Guard is unique among the service components because of its dual mission: a federal force ready to respond to the nation 's call in times of war or a national crisis or emergency, and available to respond at the direction of the governor in aiding friends and neighbors during times of domestic emergency or disaster." (2) It will teach one to challenge and achieve one 's greatest potential. The basic elements of becoming a soldier are taught, everything from staying physically fit, to shooting an M-16 rifle, to conquering an obstacle course. Training prepares for the rigors of combat and the readiness to support the country and its communities when called. The mind is challenged as well as the body. With over 300 jobs, the Guard teaches to be an engineer, mechanic, or field artillery specialist. It helps uncover true talents, and gives training to maximize potential. Training challenges to embrace a positive mental attitude and sense of self-discipline. Growing in knowledge gives the opportunity to grow in responsibility, rank, and pay.

I learned so much about the prestige of being in the Army. Dawning this uniform every day comes with significant weight. This isn’t limited in scope to General Officers, or those in public relations – it extends to every member of the organization. Everything you do is reflective of the Army, directly or indirectly and by being unprofessional – you are compromising the trust the organization has put in you. It is important to remain cognizant of the fact that regardless of who we are with or where we are – we bear the burden of being an ambassador of the Army and each of its values.

I had learned the art of being a big guy that could be tinier and quieter than a field mouse. I had learned my lesson and now began the practice of listening before speaking and it was worked wonderfully in my favor because I hadn’t received the wrath of any of my drill instructors. I started to realize that the military was teaching me valuable tools that would help me throughout my life, not just a means for me to survive basic training.

No matter how bothersome it was when my parents got on my back for not saying “Yes ma'am” or “No sir,” I now realize they were teaching me responsibility, integrity, respect, and leadership.When I pinned my mother's rank of Master Sergeant to her shoulder it instilled a sense of pride in my family. We earned that insignia alongside her through all of our sacrifices over the years. My inclination towards engineering and flying is reflective of the dedication and pride my family has set before me. Between my mother who would arrive home late due to her six-hour commute and my cousin who depended on my family while his parents served in Afghanistan, I learned what it meant to be selfless. These members of my family, these role models, show me every day what it means to put service before self. These are the footsteps I aspire to follow

There are very few things in the modern military of today or any military that has ever existed before our current military for that matter, that are more important than the rank structure and the the respect that is demanded of you by that rank structure. Those are two very important characteristics of every successful military unit. With added details here and there, in this essay I will mainly be discussing what respect actually is, how being respected is normally earned and in the military how it is demanded of you as a sub-ordinate to any ranks higher than you or in some cases any fellow military personnel who is more senior to you and why. On top of that I will be covering

Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

Citizen Soldiers: The U.S. Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany is a book following Allied soldiers until the end of World War II written by American author Stephen E. Ambrose. All the stories in this book are non-fiction and covers the brutality of war through the eyes of a several different soldiers as the Allied forces move closer to Berlin.

In this paper I will discuss the importance of why a NCO or Drill Sergeant should maintain proper military appearance and why it is important. The NCO’s Creed first states that “no one is more professional than I”, so I am sure that means more than just appearance. It is a statement that includes mannerism, attitude, professionalism etc. It also says that NCOs are the backbone of the Army, which will also tell you that we serve a critical role. Even though I respect the entire creed, the statement that most stands out to me is” All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own”. Although Drill Sergeants have