The Army as a Profession of Arms Essay Example for Free

The Army as a Profession of Arms Essay 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 Tracdoc  published paper explains â€Å"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 from Basic Combat Training and all officers must graduate from a commissioning source. Similar to medical school or law school in other traditional professions, these schools set the foundation for years of practice that will lead to expert work. From the first day in these schools, Soldiers are taught the seven Army values and the Soldiers creed. Comparable to the Hippocratic Oath, these words set basic principles all Soldiers must live by. Last, no other organization has the knowledge, material, or will to ensure national defense and security. The Army’s unique and expert work ensures it is a profession in the truest sense of the word. First, the Army provides specialized training and qualifications for its members. This initial training starts with BCT and a commissioning sources and continues through Advanced Individual Training for enlisted and the branch specific Basic Officer Leader Courses. Starting at the beginning of IET Soldiers are basically apprentices. All share knowledge common to members but unique to our organization. NCO’s and Company grade officers could be looked at as Journeymen. Have proven skills and knowledge. Senior NCO’s and Field Grade and Senior Officers are Master’s. All are professions but on different training paths. Also, Soldiers continue to qualify in the form of Military Occupational Specialty training, Army Physical Fitness Tests, and weapon qualifications that demonstrate a members potential for service throughout a career. According to Tracdoc commander General Robert Cone, it takes â€Å"years of hard work to reemphasize training and doctrine and years of individuals seeking to professionally improve themselves and the profession† to reach the desired end state of masters in the profession of arms. Second, the Army is governed by two related ethos. On the first day of initial training Soldiers are taught the importance of the seven Army values and begin to memorize the Soldier’s Creed. Like doctors and lawyers, â€Å"the military is an expert group, charged by its client to conduct work governed by a professional ethic† according to Lieutenant General Robert Caslen. A recent study commissioned by the Army found that 93% of Soldiers share their personal with the one set by the Army. Again, according to Caslen â€Å"the Army Values have sustained our institution through some of our most difficult years and will continue to be the foundation of our profession. † Last, no one else can provide national level security. A monopoly on the expert work that is to be performed is true of all professions. Caslen states that the American people â€Å"expect us to stand in the gap between the evil that is out there and our Nation’s values and our citizens themselves†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . This overwhelming charge is true to the profession of arms and can only be expected of experts in our given field. In conclusion, I believe the United States Army is a profession led by masters who are constantly training and mentoring expert replacements who execute their mission with the core values that have guided us for years. According to Brigadier General Sean MacFarland, â€Å"when we examine the key attributes of our profession, we can never lose sight of this underlying truth, because it sets us apart from all others. †