Soldier's Creed, Am I an Expert and Am I a Professional

Every uniformed Army professional knows the Soldier’s Creed. The tenth line of the Soldier’s Creed - “I am an expert and I am a professional,” is a powerful statement recited during significant occasions including enlistments, graduations, first formations, promotion boards, change of command ceremonies, and deployment ceremonies. The NCO Creed even includes the bold statement, “No one is more professional than I,” in the opening line. For these words to ring true, the Army must deliver training sufficient to certify professional Soldiers and leaders at all levels. The Army’s ability to recognize this need and adapt its methods speaks volumes for the Profession of Arms. The three components of the Army’s leadership model - institutional, operational and self-development assure that Soldiers and leaders receive the training required to prepare them to be members of the Profession of Arms. As such, it maintains the ability to apply land combat power, serving under the civilian authority, entrusted to defend the Constitution and the rights and interests of the American people.

. The Army cannot generate a professional fighting force without the appropriate institutional development. Each Soldier and commissioned officer entering military service takes an oath in order to become part of the Army profession; however, they are not professionals until Advanced Individual Training or Officer Basic Course training is complete. Specialized training in over 200 fields of technical expertise creates Professional Soldiers prepared to take their place in the Profession of Arms. Once certified in their Military Occupation Specialties, Soldiers and leaders work as professionals within the Profession of Arms. Whether serving a singl...

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...tal. As stewards of the Profession of Arms, Soldiers and leaders must not overlook self-development as a valuable tool for increasing the effectiveness of the Army as a whole.

The Army has experience, during wartime, peacetime and during period of persistent conflict, in addressing the challenges of developing, maintaining and adapting its professional practices and areas of expertise. It has been able to produce and utilize ethical combat power throughout its history because of the priority it has placed upon the development of Professional Soldiers, prepared to defend the Constitution and the American people. The Army and its leaders remain focused on the roles that institutional, operational, and self-development play within the ongoing evolution of the operating environment. As it does so, the Army will remain a Profession of Arms for centuries to come.