leadership and the army profession essay blc

Leadership and the Army Profession

This essay will discuss the concept of leadership within the context of the Army profession. It will cover the unique aspects of military leadership, including the importance of values, ethics, and the responsibility of leading soldiers in various situations. The piece will explore the characteristics of effective Army leaders, the challenges they face, and the impact of leadership on military operations and morale. It will also touch on the ongoing development and training of leaders in the Army, reflecting on how these practices contribute to the profession’s distinct nature. You can also find more related free essay samples at PapersOwl about Army.

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Leadership is a critical quality in the mission of the army but it cannot be taught. There are numerous skills that the army is equipped with, but they are all up to one intent: serving the interest of nations. Leadership plays a pivotal role in serving the interests of the nations with effectiveness, expertise, and tact. Regardless of the positions that they occupy in the army, soldiers are supposed to conduct themselves with the army values in their minds. The army has strengthened its foundation of leadership by maintaining courtesies and customs as expected of them.

Although it is not an exclusive reserve for men and women in service, professionalism in leadership separates soldiers from society.

Leadership, as defined by the army in AR 600-100, is influencing through the provision of motivation, direction, and purpose. The army has a framework that captures the army values. This framework is abbreviated as LDRSHIP and entails the following: Loyalty: committing allegiance to the objectives of command, oath of enlistment, and one’s peers. Duty: to remain bound to the welfare of one’s mission statement, the welfare of self, and that of fellow soldiers. Respect: having an understanding that everyone is important for the ultimate effectiveness of the mission. Selfless Service: having a comprehension and acceptance of the fact that the needs of many in most cases will outweigh those of the few. Honor: being governed by virtues that compel you to act in recognition of what is right and wrong. Integrity: transparency and honesty in intentions and actions, and never using any means to deceive your audience. Personal Courage: fighting through the challenges of fear and self-doubt and remaining steadfast through challenging moments.

Understanding toxic leadership is equally important to the understanding of the good one. Starting from the individual level of a soldier, a negative environment fosters toxic leadership. A negative environment sets in when a soldier cannot follow, rely on, or trust their leadership. A leadership that is self-centered, insensitive, incompetent, and criminal slows or prevents growth within a platoon, team, or squad.

Right from the initial entry, a soldier’s brain is characterized by leadership. The army’s professional culture has been sustained through five major values. These include trust, stewardship, military expertise, esprit de corps, and honorable service. All the values in the army are upheld by the virtue of trust, which means that one has confidence in the superiors and the subordinates. Military expertise refers to the level of know-how that a soldier has in the military customs, service, and occupation. Honorable service is the ability to serve in a capacity that exemplifies the wholeness of the values of the Army. Stewardship is the capacity to be tactful and careful in handling the soldiers’ responsibilities. Esprit de corps means the ‘spirit of the corps’ which implies unity of self and your element. Synchronicity is created with soldiers who are well-equipped with the culture of the army, and cadence of action and are effectively trained. Iron fist does not guarantee a strong command, but respect, communication, and attentiveness do. When one masters the art of respecting all ranks, they develop individually and unity is matured. The army profession is anchored on this individual development.

In pursuit of establishing a foundation, soldiers need to be given dynamic ways of thinking. The army comprises many parts that represent various life experiences. The various experiences that work together as a unit are the factors that develop potential leaders. When one enrolls in the army, the first thing that they are taught is how to be a soldier. This is what is known as professionalism in uniform. Being a soldier gives the individual pride when serving and helps the person directly align to the military bearing. Self-confidence is created when soldiers are equipped with technical and cultural knowledge of the army. When one wishes to have the soldiers willing and open to trust them, he should instill confidence. Through such developed confidence, the soldiers start taking more calculated risks.

When soldiers are well-equipped with confidence, they start identifying risks versus rewards, which is a crucial thinking tool. Through critical thinking, the soldiers can maneuver issues concerning the professional, social, and moral importance of ethics in the army profession. Besides, when soldiers are rewarded through certification and commendations for their critical thinking, the confidence that they have is further validated. Some of the things that validate the soldiers’ military expertise include graduations from professional military schools and promotions. Also, subordinates benefit from validation of duty as they have attainable goals through their leadership. A soldier is shown the standards that they need to attain where the commitment to the army goals is demonstrated.

It can, therefore, be rightly deduced that in the army leadership and professionalism are synonymous, but not mutually exclusive.  This is clear from the examination of both the five essential values and army values. The common factor that these values demonstrate is the leadership attributes that one should possess. The army culture fosters the attributes of followership that result in building strong leadership. When a person carries leadership as a trait, then the soldier’s ability to execute such traits is professionalism.

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Leadership and Army Profession

This essay aims to examine the impacts of the Armed Forces leadership principles on military expertise, knowledge, and service competence. Leadership lays the foundation for professionalism in the military by underpinning the service values such as duty integrity, respect, and selfless service. Every military officer is a leader with a multitude of skill sets and courtesy values to achieve results in both training and combat. The principles of mission command have six fundamental principles: competence, mutual trust, shared understanding, commander’s intent, mission orders, and disciplined initiative. Direct, organizational, and strategic leadership are the levels of leadership in mission command. Principles of leadership in the army improve expertise, competence, and knowledge by enhancing the exploitation of human resources.

Competency is a leadership principle that is very vital to the army profession. Competency is founded on discipline and standard values soldiers should dedicate to performing their duties. The decisions and actions of military soldiers should faithfully demonstrate competency. Military leaders should lead others by example to create influence beyond the chain of command. Clear communication is a primary leadership quality to ensure the message, ideas, and intent are passed across to others (Pearce et al., 2021). As soldiers help each other and learn from one another, a positive culture and work environment are developed. Information on training, education, and experience gained through self-development and peer relationships foster competency. Moral courage influences command and obedience by motivating individuals to hold themselves accountable for their behaviors and mission results (Roberts, 2018). The means that soldiers should live by are enforced by leaders through communication and leading by example to achieve a positive working environment and results.

Relationships in the army are professionally influenced by mutual trust and understanding. Soldiers who hold power are leaders and use mutual trust and respect to design the command system. Highly ranked cadres automatically demand trust and respect from their subordinates. Therefore, commanders and subordinates share the confidence to mediate relationships and encourage work commitment (Pearce et al., 2021). Mutual trust is built through care, communication, honesty, and honoring commitments. Effective information sharing prevents misunderstanding and overlapping responsibilities. Mutual understanding enables different team players to coordinate their efforts toward clearly defined objectives (Roberts, 2018). According to Nazri & Rudi (2019), mutual trust and understanding allow the contribution of all soldiers to enhance approach reconfiguration and flexible thinking. Leadership in coalitional operations calls for mutual trust and shared understanding to execute defined obligations and intents.

The commander’s intent gives conditions for the force in clear and concise directions. Commander’s intent encompasses the purpose of the operation, primary tasks, and the scales to weigh the purposed results (Pearce et al., 2021). Allocating tasks to subordinate units and declaring the concepts of operation links the mission to the soldiers. Therefore, the commander’s intent is the single unifying focus of subordinate elements that summarizes the idea of the operation. Articulating a clear vision of what a successful mission will achieve and the results creates the purpose of the task. Ambitions are crucial in the army to guide critical decision-making with consequential risks. Together with integrity, ambition propels individuals to their ultimate potential. With a clearly outlined purpose, soldiers commit to the underlying rationale in a mission. The purpose influences the strategy by articulating the general objective of the mission to fulfill Title 10 duties (Nazri & Rudi, 2019). A feasible and actionable mission plan requires military members’ exclusive understanding of the target results and the course of action. Commander’s intent gives individual soldiers the purpose of the mission by linking the concepts and tasks.

The mission orders describe the course of action in achieving specific objectives. The direction and guidance on the activities of particular tasks enhance the professional knowledge of the soldiers. The operations, service support, movement, warning, and fragmentary orders are the five types of operation orders (Nazri & Rudi, 2019). Mission orders monitor the movement and location of units in a movement order. Commander’s intent and mission orders highlight the priorities and course of action to foster a disciplined initiative. Roberts (2018) describes disciplined initiatives as the skill to make the right decisions in the absence of orders or in the event of unpredicted threats. The disciplined initiative allows the subordinates to handle different situations and the commanders to take effective action to develop the condition. Disciplined initiative is a prerequisite of a command environment with clear mission orders and mutual trust and understanding.

Leadership in the army profession is acquired virtually for good military practice and to accomplish mission goals. Leadership skills in the army should motivate people in a chain of command to pursue action, thinking, and decision-making while upholding military values. Competence, mutual trust, shared understanding, commander’s intent, mission orders, and disciplined initiative are the leadership principles in mission command. Competence guarantees the efficiency of the soldiers’ ability to perform duties and make the right decisions. Mutual trust and understanding foster relationships among soldiers of different ranks to coordinate efforts toward achieving specific objectives. The commander’s intent and mission orders lay down the purpose of specific missions and the course of actions to be taken, respectively. The disciplined initiative guides decision-making in the absence of orders or in situations where the orders are non-conformable.

Nazri, M., & Rudi, M. (2019). Military leadership: A systematic literature review of current research. Int. J. Bus. Manage. , 3 (2), 1-15. Web.

Pearce, A. P., Naumann, D. N., & O’Reilly, D. (2021). Mission command: applying principles of military leadership to the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) crisis. BMJ Mil Health , 167 (1), 3-4. Web.

Roberts, C. R. (2018). Twelve principles of modern military leadership . Twelve principles of Modern Military Leadership: Part 1 : Part 1. Web.

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Leadership and The Army Profession, Essay Sample

Leadership in the army is an essential component of its operations, and it is no surprise that the values of an army soldier are integral to this aspect.

The history of the army is marked by a legacy of core values and principles that have stood the test of time. These values have been an integral part of the army’s success, shaping the soldiers who embody them into exceptional leaders. The values of selfless service, duty, integrity, respect, and loyalty are more than just words on paper; they are the foundation of the army’s culture and the backbone of its operations. In this essay, we will explore the significance of these values in the context of leadership and how they can be applied beyond the army to our daily lives.

Selfless Service

As an army soldier, selfless service is a core value that emphasizes putting the needs of others above one’s own. Leaders who embody selfless service prioritize the well-being of their team and are willing to make sacrifices to ensure their success. There are several reasons why selfless service is an essential value for effective leadership in the army profession:

Building Trust

By showing selfless service, leaders build trust with their team members. When the team sees that their leader is willing to put their needs above their own, it creates a sense of loyalty and respect towards the leader.

Motivating Others

Leaders who put their team’s needs before their own often inspire their team members to do the same. By leading by example, these leaders motivate their team members to work towards a common goal and foster a sense of unity within the team.

Creating a Positive Culture

When leaders prioritize the well-being of their team, it creates a positive culture within the unit. Team members feel supported and valued, which can lead to increased morale and productivity.

Fostering a Sense of Responsibility

Leaders who embody selfless service often encourage their team members to take responsibility for their actions and decisions. This creates a sense of ownership and accountability within the team and helps to build a culture of excellence.

Developing Future Leaders

By embodying selfless service, leaders are able to inspire and develop future leaders. When team members see the benefits of putting others first, they are more likely to adopt this value themselves and become effective leaders in the future.

Duty is an essential value in the Army profession, where leaders are expected to take responsibility for their actions and ensure that they meet their obligations. As a leader, it is crucial to understand the importance of fulfilling duties and responsibilities towards your team and organization. This means putting the needs of your team and organization first, even if it requires personal sacrifice.

In the Army, soldiers are trained to understand that duty goes beyond just following orders, it also means being accountable for their actions and taking ownership of their mistakes. A leader who embodies the value of duty is willing to put in the time and effort to achieve their objectives, while also making sure that their team is supported and empowered to achieve their goals. By prioritizing duty, leaders can inspire their team to do the same, creating a culture of accountability and responsibility that drives success.

Leaders who prioritize duty lead by example, showing their team that they are willing to put in the hard work and make difficult decisions to achieve their objectives. They understand that fulfilling their obligations is critical to the success of their team and organization, and they take pride in doing so. By embodying the value of duty, leaders can inspire their teams to take ownership of their responsibilities and work together towards achieving their shared goals.

Integrity is a core value that emphasizes honesty, moral courage, and doing the right thing even when it’s difficult. Leaders who embody integrity prioritize ethical behavior and inspire trust and respect from their team. They lead by example and demonstrate a commitment to honesty and fairness in all their actions.

Leading with integrity means being transparent, accountable, and taking responsibility for one’s actions. An integral leader is one who adheres to ethical principles and values, even when faced with difficult decisions. For example, a leader who reports a mistake or takes responsibility for a team member’s error demonstrates the value of integrity.

In the army profession, respect is a core value that is essential for effective leadership. This value emphasizes the importance of treating others with dignity and honor, regardless of their rank or position. Leaders who embody respect prioritize creating a positive and inclusive environment for their team, where everyone feels valued and heard.

Respect is crucial for building strong relationships within a team. When leaders treat their subordinates with respect, it fosters a sense of trust and loyalty. It also encourages team members to work together towards a common goal, knowing that their contributions will be valued and recognized.

Furthermore, respectful leaders set an example for their team to follow. They demonstrate the importance of treating others with kindness and understanding, even in difficult situations. This can have a positive impact on the team’s overall morale and can lead to increased motivation and productivity.

In the army, respect also means following established protocols and adhering to the chain of command. This ensures that orders are carried out effectively and efficiently, without compromising the safety of the team or the mission.

Overall, leaders who embody respect create a positive and productive environment for their team, and set an example for others to follow. By prioritizing this core value, they demonstrate a commitment to building strong relationships and achieving success through teamwork and collaboration.

Loyalty is a core value that emphasizes the importance of commitment and devotion to one’s team and organization. Leaders who embody loyalty prioritize building strong relationships with their team and are willing to defend and support them through difficult times. Here are some key points to consider when discussing loyalty in leadership:

Prioritizing the team

Leaders who embody loyalty prioritize the needs and goals of their team above their personal interests. They understand that their success is linked to the success of their team and are committed to ensuring that everyone is working towards a common goal.

Building trust

Loyalty is built on a foundation of trust. Leaders who embody loyalty prioritize building trust with their team by being transparent, honest, and consistent in their actions and decisions. They understand that trust is earned over time and work hard to maintain it.

Supporting the team

Leaders who embody loyalty are willing to go above and beyond to support their team. They provide the resources and guidance needed for their team to succeed and are always looking for ways to improve their team’s performance.

Defending the team

Leaders who embody loyalty are willing to defend their team from external threats or criticism. They understand that their team’s success may sometimes be challenged, and they are willing to take a stand to protect their team’s reputation and well-being.

Demonstrating commitment

Leaders who embody loyalty demonstrate their commitment to their team and organization through their actions. They are willing to make personal sacrifices to ensure their team’s success and are always looking for ways to improve their team’s performance.

In conclusion, the values of an army soldier, including selfless service, duty, integrity, respect, and loyalty, are not only critical to the success of the army, but they also play a vital role in shaping leadership. Through this essay, we have seen how these values are integral to effective leadership in any organization or aspect of life. Leaders who prioritize the well-being of their team, fulfill their duties, embody integrity, respect others, and show loyalty, are the ones who can create a positive and productive environment for their team. It is essential to recognize and embrace these values to succeed in leadership roles.

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Foundations of Army Leadership BLC Essay

Leadership is significant for every organization, and the Army is not an exception. It is so because leaders are responsible for addressing the existing challenges and achieving the stipulated goals. These people also provide mentorship to younger and less experienced individuals, contributing to their better adaptation. The phenomenon under analysis is complicated since it consists of and draws attention to many issues. Thus, this paper examines the foundation of Army leadership, focusing on its levels and leaders’ characteristic features.

To begin with, one should define the concept under consideration. According to the US Department of the Army (2019), leadership denotes an activity to make people accomplish the mission. Such a broad definition does not mean that the Army does not need the issue. This phenomenon is essential for the organization because it unifies its warfighting abilities. Leadership also motivates and inspires people to make them achieve the desired outcomes. It is necessary to mention that the Army has three levels of leadership.

Various leadership levels are required to ensure that all soldiers and officers understand the organization’s expectations. According to the US Department of the Army (2019), there are direct, organizational, and strategic leadership levels. Firstly, direct leadership occurs during face-to-face contact between leaders and their subordinates. Secondly, the US Department of the Army (2019, 1-23) states that “organizational leaders exercise leadership through subordinate leaders.” Thirdly, a strategic level involves civilian and military leaders who determine the development of the Army. Even though strategic leadership seems to address more significant issues, one should not underestimate the importance of lower levels.

There is no doubt that the foundation of Army leadership begins in its smallest elements. Coleman Jr. (2011) admits that leadership comes from the team, section, and squad. It is so because young soldiers who require supervision spend much time in these structural units. Consequently, team, section, and squad officers should draw specific attention to provide them with the required assistance. This state of affairs makes these low-ranking officials apply leadership principles to cope with the task. Furthermore, one should state that not every person who makes others achieve the desired outcome is an Army leader. One should emphasize that Army leaders should have specific qualities and meet particular requirements, which will be described below.

Firstly, it is worth emphasizing that a person’s character has an impact on how they lead. It means that leaders should have particular moral qualities to affect and inspire their subordinates. That is why the US Department of the Army (2019) lists specific characteristic features that successful leaders should have. They include Army values, empathy, two types of ethos, discipline, and humility. These issues demonstrate that leaders should meet multiple requirements to succeed in their activity. For example, these individuals should be loyal, understand others’ emotions, express obedience toward fulfilling lawful orders, and so on. However, the character is not the only phenomenon that an effective leader should have to affect subordinates efficiently.

Secondly, presence plays a significant role in how effective a leader is. This phenomenon explains that leaders are successful and influential if their subordinates perceive them as having such traits. It means that individuals should invest in developing their presence in the Army. One should explain that presence does not only mean that a person should be seen. The given issue stipulates that leaders should bring qualitative changes to the organization. Army leaders have multiple variants to show that they meet this criterion. For example, it refers to demonstrating competence, having sound health, projecting self-confidence, recovering from stressful situations quickly, and others. In addition to that, it is not reasonable to forget about leaders’ mental capabilities.

Thirdly, the Army draws specific attention to leaders’ intellect that relies on knowledge and brainpower. People have different intelligence levels, meaning that some of them can show better results in this area. That is why various people can be leaders of different quality. One should explain that leaders’ intellect is a complex phenomenon. According to the US Department of the Army (2019), it includes mental agility, innovation, sound judgement, expertise, and interpersonal tact. These competencies are significant because they allow individuals to adapt to changing conditions, form sound opinions, and many others. This information means that those Army leaders who have decent intellectual abilities tend to succeed in leading and motivating others.

In conclusion, the essay has demonstrated that leadership is of significance for the Army. Through motivation, this phenomenon ensures that all military personnel aims at achieving shared goals. It is worth mentioning that three leadership levels explain how thoughts move from leaders to their subordinates. Furthermore, it has been mentioned that successful Army leaders should bear specific qualities and meet particular requirements. The idea is that character, presence, and intellect are of significance for the Army. These three phenomena are essential since they ensure that leaders can influence others and cope with the existing challenges. Consequently, the foundation of Army leadership is a significant issue that includes many fundamental aspects.

Coleman Jr., Arthur L. 2011. “Team, Squad, Section Leaders: Foundation of Army.” Fort Hood Sentinel. Web.

United States of America Department of the Army. 2019. “ADP 6-22. Army Leadership and the Profession.” Web.

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IvyPanda . "Foundations of Army Leadership BLC." February 28, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/foundation-of-army-leadership/.

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