Military bearing is a trademark of the Army and is one of the fundamental reasons we are held in such high regard by the American population and much of the world. Does of the situation in which we find ourselves. Often it is used as a reliable indicator of a Soldier’s pride in their unit, branch of service, or the military in its entirety. The concept of bearing has some aspects that are unique, others that are more overarching and the same across the board. It is vital no matter what rank or position is held. It works generally the same across the branches of service with subtle distinctions. Bearing is not proprietary to the military, as it can be present in any civilian as well. Much of the Army’s bearing and standards can be seen in our …show more content…
The same idea of an unwavering hierarchy that extends beyond title and into the deep roots of merit are inherent in both concepts. Even dealing with other branches of service, there are certain expectations to be upheld when dealing with an officer, a senior enlisted, and even with your peers. Officers are saluted by enlisted members, just as junior enlisted members stand at parade rest when addressing Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO). This level of respect would continue on into a civilian environment, although no saluting would be present in civilian attire. For example, a lower enlisted member could be at a restaurant or a bar over the weekend and happen to see his Company Commander. Even out of the work environment and military setting, the should still subtly take each other’s rank into account with everything said, such as a “Sir” every now and then from the enlisted member as well as avoiding certain comments that could get a soldier in trouble when dealing with his Chain of Command. This same level of military bearing will also carry on into encounters with civilians as military members and prior service member can almost always be spotted in a crowd with relative ease. Bearing can be taught at a basic level, but one must have the initiative to follow the guidance set before them and behave a certain …show more content…
The majority of the civilian populace would equate bearing with manners, which has more to do with ethics than true military bearing. There are some conflicts that arise between the two interpretations. One of the most common is the custom of addressing officers as “Sir” or “Ma’am” and to never say the same to an NCO without getting sharply correct if not brutally reprimanded for your insolence. This comes as quite the culture shock to many new soldiers who come from the South or from other old-fashioned families where it is ingrained from birth to call everyone elder to you “Sir” or “Ma’am” regardless of position. But because we as an organization hold ourselves to such a high standard, we iron out these inconsistencies and deficiencies with haste. Due to this standard of perfection however, it is often appalling to civilians to see us make a mistake and have to realize that we are human. Soldiers are not seen as normal people, but cookie-cutter images of strength. This image has been fostered through the years by a strong sense of patriotism in the American people. While not achieving perfection, soldiers as a whole do uphold a higher standard of behavior than the rest of the populace. This is accomplished through implementation of the Army Values, regular ethical instruction, and a well-structured hierarchy with a strong sense of uniformity
The United States Army has been a leader in military prowess on the world stage since its inception in 1775, and with such a record, it is reasonably assumed that there must be solid foundation within the organization working to maintain the high level of performance. The Noncommissioned Officer Corps is one institution within the Army that serves as a large portion of this foundation that makes it the fighting force that it has always been, and the noncommissioned officers have been an integral piece since the very inception of the Army. The Prussian General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, organizer of the Noncommissioned Officer Corps, encapsulated this idea when he coined the noncommissioned officer (NCO) as the backbone of the Army. (Arms, 1991) In an Army that is continuously adjusting to world around it while maintaining its status as the military leader to all other nations, the Noncommissioned Officer Corps has always provided the platform for continuity through a growing rank system based on its original core, an evolving training program to develop effective leaders, and a creed that moves us forward while remembering the rich history of the corps that came before us.
An officer in the military will listen to the officers ranking higher than him more readily than someone of a lower rank. It does not matter whether the rank is by a title such as in a military situation or in the way someone is perceived to be, like in Zimbardo and Milgram’s experiments. In the film A Few Good Men there is one puzzling statement near the end of the movie said by Private Louden Downey. After the sentencing Downey loudly questions Lieutenant Commanders Galloway and Kaffee as to why Dawson and Downey were still found guilty of “conduct unbecoming of United States marines”. He said “what did we do wrong? We did nothing wrong!” Private Downey was referring to the fact that he is a marine, he gets an order and he follows it, with no questions asked. The puzzling idea that those following orders because it was an order given by someone of a higher rank means that Dawson and Downey are not responsible for their actions. Is anyone responsible for their actions and the consequences of those actions if they were “just following orders?” The ability to tell someone what to do and to have them listen to your command is determined by your status relative to theirs.
Leaders in the United States Marine Corps are earned, not given. When approaching members in the Marine, customs and courtesies say that it is important to salute because it not only is a regulation set by the Marine Corps, but also a way to recognize other Marine’s commitments while showing professionalism. “The salute isn't simply an honor exchanged; it's a privileged gesture of respect and trust among military members.” The salute is a way to express pride in your profession and it is required to salute when meeting and acknowledging an officer’s presence. Along with saluting, other military courtesies show appreciation and self-discipline shown in a Marine’s actions or in their speech. Many reasons, such as respect are why these courtesies are important and are applied in the military. In my opinion, I think the respect that is enforced with customs and courtesies is extremely important. It lets a Marine show that they know what proper gestures to do and they know the difference between right and wrong in the United States Marine Corps. It also shows how a Marine is suppose to be and act at all times, no matter what setting they’re
For years I have aspired to become a part of an elite organization such as the military, and more importantly, the United States Navy. Its reputation for instilling high moral character was encouragement for me to develop into a more mature, responsible, and independent young citizen. There are certain qualities that an officer must possess such as: honor, courage, commitment, and attention to duty, responsiveness to orders, cooperation, loyalty, leadership, integrity, and discipline. Throughout my high school career, I showcased these qualities while an active member of The American Legion of Ohio Buckeye Boy’s State, The National Honor Society, as a leader in the Ohio State Highway Patrol Junior Cadets, Clay and Waite High School Marching Band Alumni, Quiz Bowl, and Top Ten Scholars. I was actively involved in charitable activities such as Math and SOS tutoring, community volunteering, and the Indian 100 Leadership Team, (a volunteer organization on my high school campus). I have shown strength, perseverance and leadership in my participation in wrestling, cheerleading, and bodybui...
Throughout the military and the Army there many different regulations and rules to live by also known as custom courtesies that every soldier must follow in order to show the proper respect order and discipline as they then move on with their daily lives. Custom courtesies are put into place to give the proper respect for noncommissioned officers and the officers placed above them.AR 600 – 25 customs and courtesies is considered to many to be the foundation pillars of military life and major fundamentals to the methods that the Army conducts its business. Some of these fundamentals being as old as the Army itself with many of them coming from past traditions such as the Army values that we base most of what we do on. Many of these traditions having been established due to past military history and regulations that are being formed today in different ways to help soldiers to better understand how the way Army wants them to be acting in a particular manner over a long period of time. These custom and courtesies not only form the way a soldier acts upon his or her professional life but also his or her social life as a way of maintaining discipline. Customs is a means of doing something that has been done over a long period of time by select few for a large group of many. As a courtesy is a form of polite behavior and excellent manners given from one person to another session is saluting or even holding a door for someone. Even when our custom and courtesies are seemed to be strange by civilians is what sets a soldier and a civilian a part on more levels than one. As most of these means of acting are not found in civilian life as it does not require special behavior and maintain a certain level respect and professionalism.
We can identify three major cultural dimensions that help us to understand what leaders must focus on as they guide the transition of the Army. First, professional Identity, which is guided by Soldiers at all levels who are striving for excellence in their functional specialty, i.e., HR Sergeants. Soldiers who have goals and ideals of the Army to ethically put service and duty first. HR Sergeants are trained and well educated in their field. They are taught to put Soldiers first and have great customer support skills. Second, community, the sense in which Soldiers stop thinking about “I” and start thinking “we”. The bond among units who not only believe in cohesion with Soldiers, but their families too. The HR Sergeants are there to take care of Soldiers when financial issues arise with them or their families and don’t back down until the situation is solved. Last, hierarchy, which leads to order and control and provides Soldiers with moral reference and a sense of direction. The HR Sergeant has the mentality of mission first, knowing who to contact at the next level for assistance helps get the mission
As our forefathers before us stated, ‘‘No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as “The Backbone of the Army (“The NCO Creed written by SFC Earle Brigham and Jimmie Jakes Sr”). These words to the Noncommissioned Officer should inspire us to the fullest with pride, honor, and integrity. The NCO creed should mean much more than just words whenever we attend an NCO’s school.
As a Non-commissioned Officer you can expect me to be a professional leader dedicated to taking care of soldiers, the mission, and the army way of life. You can expect me to use Army Regulations, Technical Manuals, and direct orders from my superiors as my guidance on what actions to take in each situation faced whether tactical or technical. I will not be afraid to make sound and timely decisions in the absence of my leadership’s orders. When left in charge I will take charge.
The point I’m trying to get out of this is disrespect in the military is a big thing, especially dealing or being disrespectful to a Non Commissioned Officer. Disrespect doesn’t only have to be with Non Commissioned Officers, it can be with Commissioned Officers, Warrant Officers, and Senior Non Commissioned Officers such as (Sergeant First Class, Master Sergeants, Sergeant Majors, and sometimes seasoned Staff Sergeants). It can also be to your peers alike. Treat people how you would like to be treated. As my momma always said “If you don’t got nothing good to say then don’t say anything at
For example, in ROTC we have both bosses and leaders. Most notably, BN cadet leadership d...
In June 2013 Army Doctrine Reference Publication 1 (ADRP1) “The Army Profession” was released and the website http://cape.army.mil was created. In (ADRP1), it states there are five essential characteristics of the Army Profession, trust, military expertise, honorable service, Esprit de Corps, and stewardship (ADRP1, 2013). Those characteristics is what I think separates a Soldier from a civilian. No one should think that their job or occupation is harder or more important than someone else’s. It takes all kinds of professions to make this country work but the Army could not be as successful as it is today without our professionals teaching, coaching, mentoring and preserving these five characteristics.
In the United States Army, there are two categories of rank structure, the enlisted corps and the commissioned corps. The enlisted corps within itself contains leaders, who are referred to as Noncommissioned Officers, or NCOs. These individuals, whose ranks range from Sergeant to Sergeant Major, are responsible implementing the guidance and command policies provided by the Commissioned Officers and commanders in their units. NCOs are also responsible for the welfare and training of junior personnel. The US Army provides regulations and manuals with step by step guidance for the most trivial of tasks, but it fails to spell out specific and concrete information on how to be an NCO. There are publications, such as “The Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer” and regulations on leadership, but they lack specificity and objective instruction for how to accomplish the aforementioned responsibilities of an NCO. The knowledge and skills of an NCO are instead acquired through training and experience, the products of which are NCOs of varying quality. A good NCO is one who knows and fulfills the written laws and regulations of Army doctrine, has the character of a good soldier and leader, and is able to strike a balance between written law and doing what is right even if the two seem to contradict one another.
The core values are Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. The Army’s definition respect is, “Treat people as they should be treated. In the Soldier’s Code, we pledge to “treat others with dignity and respect while expecting others to do the same.” Respect is what allows us to appreciate the best in other people. Respect is trusting that all people have done their jobs and fulfilled their duty. And self-respect is a vital ingredient with the Army value of respect, which results from knowing you have put forth your best effort. The Army is one team and each of us has something to
level of Precedence and standards in the formation. The roles of the non-commissioned officer is
First, there is respect, just because you have the rank and status of an officer doesn’t mean those below you in your command are going to respect you. A lot of people are going into the army as officers thinking everyone owes them something and that they have to do what they say. All I can say to that is, you’re in for a rude awakening. As officers we should respect those below us and talk to them as a leader should not a boss especially our NCOS and PSG. I believe that they are the best asset a young officer has at his disposal due to their knowledge and