Hr's Role In The Army Profession

The Profession of Arms:

The Role of the Human Resources Sergeant in the Profession of Arms

In the traditional form of profession, career paths only in the fields of health, justice and education were exclusively recognized as professions. For many years the field of security, specifically, with regards to the Armed Forces was not considered a profession. Not very long ago, the public did not consider the professional Soldier to fall under a profession. The Soldiers characteristics were considered to be closer to those of an occupational professional. However, as time moves forward, the American Soldier exhibits more traits and characteristics of a professional in the realm and space of a profession. That is why the Army is now part of

what is known as the Profession of Arms. (Dempsey, 2010)
In the Army’s White Paper: The profession of Arms, describes the meaning of a profession. A profession is essentially a field that produces unique expert work, which is not routine or repetitive. A profession focuses more on achieving effectiveness rather than pure efficiency. In a profession, professionals are required to undergo years of study, practice and experience before they are capable of expert work. These professionals are viewed more as civil servants over anything else. They have the moral obligation to continually develop their expertise in the best interest of society and for the benefit of the American people. The military profession is entrusted to provide the protection and security that the society needs and cannot provide for itself. Most importantly, professions must earn the trust of the people they serve through the transcendence of their ethics and morality. (Dempsey, 2010, p. 2)
The art of balancing is a difficult task in any organization.

In the military, creating and maintaining balance is a continuous challenge which faces the profession’s leaders. Strategic leaders must ensure that they produce the necessary conditions for the Army to be a profession. In particular, leaders are faced with two aspect to balance within the profession. First, the role of strategic leaders balancing the relationship between the Army’s four fields of expertise and to its current and potential future operation environment. Second, leader must find a way to the relationship between the Army’s culture and climate with the Army’s practices. (Dempsey, 2010, p.

9)
Furthermore, it is crucial of the leadership to foster a positive climate within the organization in order to guide Soldiers in the direction that align the attributes and behaviors of a true professional in the Profession of Arms. The Army’s profession is effected and influenced by both its culture, climate and environment. Culture is a shared set of values, beliefs and attitudes that a group of people share, in this case the military professionals. The culture and climate of an organization has a strong influence on its professionals. It will dictate their performance, their thought process and their behavior. Ultimately, Army culture is the system of shared values shared by Soldiers. Leader should use the impact of culture and climate to assist in the campaign of the Profession of Arms to their advantage. (Dempsey, 2010, pp. 10,11)
Within the Army profession, the role of the Human Resources Sergeant is instrumental in the Profession of Arms.

Human Resources personnel will always be needed with any organization that has people. The role of the HR professional is essential to support the Army’s greatest asset – it’s Soldiers. The functions of the Human Resources support lays the four fundamental core competencies that the Human Resources personnel must accomplish in support operations. They are to: Man the Force, Provide HR Services, Coordinate Personnel Support and Conduct HR Planning and Operations. Each of the listed core competencies are subordinate key functions that contribute to the success of each core competence. The role of the Human Resources Sergeant is vital to the infrastructure and success of the professional Soldier in the Profession of Arms. Undoubtable, the overwhelming success of the Army in its campaign to promote and maintain its posture as a profession, can be directly attributed to the support HR Personnel provide. In conclusion, it is apparent that not only do service member and the American public consider the military as a profession, it is now evident worldwide. (FM 1-0 Human Resources Support, 2014, p.

11)