what does it mean to be a profession of arms

Like the priesthood, the profession of arms is a vocation, a higher calling, to serve others, to sacrifice self, to be about something larger than one’s own ambitions and desires, something grander than one’s own contributions and even one’s own life.

Full Answer

What is the Army Profession of arms?

The Army doctrine defines Army Profession as comprised of two mutually supportive communities of practice: the Profession of Arms and the Army Civilian Corps. The Army Profession defines the essence of what it means to be a Soldier or Army Civilian.

What does it mean to be a member of arms?

For the member of the profession of arms, fulfilling society’s demands and expectations means investing one’s best as a professional and as a person. As General Hackett observed, “Service under arms has been seen at times and in some places as a calling resembling that of the priesthood in its de dication.”6

What does it mean to be an army professional?

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

Why do we trust our profession of arms?

This trust is based upon the fact that the members of our profession remain apolitical and would never betray the principles and intent of the Constitution, even at the risk of their own lives. Our men and women, who serve, return to society better for their service. Leadership as the Foundation - Strengthening our Profession of Arms.

What is meant by profession of arms?

➢ THE PROFESSION OF ARMS. The Army is an American Profession of Arms, 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.

What are the responsibilities of the profession of arms?

The most basic task of the profession of arms is the armed defense of the society, its territory, population, and vital interests. In its most elemental sense, the profession of arms is all about fighting and all about war.

What does it mean to embody the profession of arms Air Force?

Air Force Profession of Arms: A vocation comprised of experts in the design, generation, support and application of global vigilance, global reach and global power serving under civilian authority, entrusted to defend the Constitution and accountable to the American people.

What are the three key elements of the military profession or those reasons for which the profession of arms was developed over time?

Huntington identified three core aspects of a profession in general and of the profession of arms specifically: expertise, responsibility, and corporateness.

What does it mean to be a professional soldier?

A Professional Soldier is someone that makes a commitment of servitude to his or her country. An individual willing to adapt to the nation's ever-changing needs. A soldier that makes a lifelong commitment to learning and becoming a professional in the Army.

Which is an enlisted rank?

There are 13 enlisted Army ranks: private, private second class, private first class, specialist, corporal, sergeant, staff sergeant, sergeant first class, master sergeant, first sergeant, sergeant major, command sergeant major and sergeant major of the Army.

What does professional bearing mean?

Page 4. Skillful use of professional bearing—fitness, courtesy, and proper military appearance— can also aid in overcoming difficult situations. A professional presents a decent appearance because it commands respect. Professionals must be competent as well. They look good because they are good.

How do you describe professionalism?

Defining Professionalism The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines professionalism as "the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person"; and it defines a profession as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation."

What is the importance of military professionalism?

The purpose of Military Professionalism is to get the soldier to the right place at the right time with the right weapons, equipment, logistical support, administrative support, and with the right training, doctrine, and TTPs.

Which criteria is an Army professionals demonstrated ability to perform his her duties successfully and to accomplish the mission with discipline and to standard?

Commitment—The resolve of an Army pro- fessional to contribute honorable service to the nation, to perform his/her duties with discipline and to standards, and to strive to successfully and ethically accomplish the mission despite adversity, obstacles, and challenge.

Is a soldier a profession?

Soldiers must have a calling to their profession. Being a professional soldier is not for everyone. This ethos is important for building and maintaining a professional military.

What is a professional Army?

an army where military service is the basic occupation and activity of all personnel. In the history of armed forces, professional armies existed in ancient Greece, Rome, and other states.

Why are professions not professions?

Professions are not professions simply because they say they are. Their clients, society as a whole, have to accept their claims and trust the professions with jurisdiction over important areas of human endeavor. 1.

How to become a maneuver leader in the army?

First, maneuver leaders should become familiar with the relevant Army doctrine and applicable legislation—to include the Constitution—to provide leaders with the principle-based foundation for studying the Army profession. Second, once familiar with relevant doctrine, leaders should read an article or book that provides an overview of how the Army Profession has evolved. Third, leaders should familiarize themselves with the oaths, norms and creeds that define our profession. Finally, leaders should use the discussion/reflection questions along with the content provided at the Center for the Army Profession and Ethic (CAPE) website to promote discussion within your unit.

What is the Army culture?

A key component of our profession is our Army culture –the attitudes, values, goals, beliefs, and behaviors rooted in traditions, customs, and courtesies. influenced by leadership. Culture is to an organization as personality is to an individual. Although influenced by leadership, it is our culture that shapes how the Army views ...

Is the Army a profession?

While the Army is a profession, the running of the Army consists of a series of bureaucratic processes. These processes, with their emphasis on efficiency, may cause us to lose focus of our professional responsibility to ensure combat effectiveness. We can't mistake activity for progress.

What is the Army's relationship with the American people?

Trust is the cornerstone for the Army’s relationship with the American people. One major aspect of that trust is the foundational subordination of the Army to civilian authority. Such subordination is derived from two sources: legally from the Constitution and federal statute and morally from the values of America and the norms of American civil-military relations. Under these moral norms civilian leaders, Executive and Congressional, have full authority over the military, and upon considering the advice of military leaders, are empowered by the American public to have ultimate authority over the military, its capabilities, and its use. In contrast, every volunteer Soldier upon oath, regardless of rank or component, becomes a servant of the State to do its will while subordinating their own will and some of their rights as a citizen to the true faith and allegiance they willingly bear to the Constitution.

What are the Army's moral values?

Moral values, such as the seven Army values, and ethical principles must be expressed through action or they serve no purpose. The profession’s moral-ethical capabilities must be manifested at both the institutional and the individual levels. At the institutional level, the Army Ethic provides the framework for developing units and Soldiers’ professional character by placing the required martial virtues in the service of the Army’s duty. Based on the duty of the Army, Soldiers must commit to take actions and make sacrifices that place them at increased risk of danger or death to safeguard innocents, accomplish the mission, and protect their fellow Soldiers. A Soldier’s character is then reinforced through leadership and unit culture and climate.

What is the preeminent military task?

“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 not dying, they must be preparing to die.” - James H. Toner5

How does the Army maintain trust?

Through exemplary duty performance, the Army maintains a trust relationship with the American people and earns institutional autonomy and high vocational status by demonstrating both effective military expertise and the proper and ethical employment of that expertise on behalf of the Nation. This is how the Army earns its legitimacy to operate under Joint Command, as negotiated with senior civilian officials, in Major Combat Operations, Stability Operations, Strategic Deterrence, and Homeland Security.

What is the Army profession?

The Army Profession is one of the most trusted institutions in the country. The Army Profession carries on by attracting American citizens to volunteer to serve as Soldiers and Army Civilians. Through their decisions and actions, Army Senior Leaders, Soldiers, and Army Civilians strengthen the Army Profession and reinforce mutual trust ...

What is the responsibility of an army professional?

Army professionals at all levels have the responsibility to ethically perform their duties to Army standards. As strategic leaders, Army professionals are ethical stewards of the Army Profession who establish strategic direction, priorities and missions.

What is the stewardship of the army?

Stewardship of the Army Profession is the duty of all Army leaders, both military and civilian, who care for the people, resources and the Army Family. Stewardship ensures the Army remains a trusted military profession, both today and tomorrow.

What is the role of senior leaders in the Army?

Army Senior Leaders support good stewardship of the Army Profession by: Establishing the goals and procedures for military and civilian accessions. Enacting policies guiding the development and talent management of all Army personnel. Advocating for resources to sustain an Army that balances priorities according to the Army Profession, ...

Why Is This Topic Important For Maneuver Leaders?

• Our Army is in a period of transition as we continue the fight in Afghanistan and prepare for future conflict. During this period of transition, it is especially critical that leaders ensure that our Army maintains our capabilities and our strong ethical foundation by educating leaders, developing our expert body of knowledge (doctrine), training f...

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An Approach to The Study of The Army Profession

Oaths

Creeds

Norms of Conduct