US Army Values

US Army personnel learn the US Army’s values in detail during Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Initial Officer Training (IOT). The US Army’s seven core values, using the acronym LDRSHIP, are:

• Loyalty: Bear true faith and allegiance to the US Constitution, the Army, your unit and other Soldiers. Bearing true faith and allegiance is a matter of believing in and devoting yourself to something or someone. A loyal Soldier is one who supports the leadership and stands up for fellow Soldiers. By wearing the uniform of the US Army you are expressing your loyalty. And by doing your share, you show your loyalty to your unit.
• Duty: Fulfil your obligations. Doing your duty means more than carrying out your assigned tasks. Duty means being able to accomplish tasks as part of a team. The work of the U.S. Army is a complex combination of missions, tasks and responsibilities — all in constant motion. Our work entails building one assignment onto another. You fulfil your obligations as a part of your unit every time you resist the temptation to take “shortcuts” that might undermine the integrity of the final product.
• Respect: 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 contribute.
• Selfless Service: Put the welfare of the nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own. Selfless service is larger than just one person. In serving your country, you are doing your duty loyally without thought of recognition or gain. The basic building block of selfless service is the commitment of each team member to go a little further, endure a little longer, and look a little closer to see how he or she can add to the effort.
• Honour: Live up to Army values. The nation’s highest military award is The Medal of Honour. This award goes to Soldiers who make honour a matter of daily living — Soldiers who develop the habit of being honourable, and solidify that habit with every value choice they make. Honour is a matter of carrying out, acting, and living the values of respect, duty, loyalty, selfless service, integrity and personal courage in everything you do.
• Integrity: Do what’s right, legally and morally. Integrity is a quality you develop by adhering to moral principles. It requires that you do and say nothing that deceives others. As your integrity grows, so does the trust others place in you. The more choices you make based on integrity, the more this highly prized value will affect your relationships with family and friends, and, finally, the fundamental acceptance of yourself.
• Personal Courage: Face fear, danger or adversity (physical or moral). Personal courage has long been associated with our Army. With physical courage, it is a matter of enduring physical duress and at times risking personal safety. Facing moral fear or adversity may be a long, slow process of continuing forward on the right path, especially if taking those actions is not popular with others. You can build your personal courage by daily standing up for and acting upon the things that you know are honourable.

US Army Leadership Requirements Model

• Attributes:
  • Character: consisting of Army values, empathy, warrior ethos and service ethos, and discipline.
  • Presence: consisting of military and professional bearing, fitness, confidence, and resilience.
  • Intellect: consisting of mental agility, sound judgement, innovation, interpersonal tact, and expertise.
• Competencies:
  • Leads: consisting of leads others, builds trust, extends influence beyond the chain of command, leads by example, and communicates.
  • Develops: consisting of creates a positive environment/fosters spirit de corps, prepares self, develops others, and stewards the profession.
  • Achieves: consisting of getting results.

References

US Army (2017a) The Army Values. Available from World Wide Web: https://www.army.mil/values/. [Accessed: 22 June, 2017].

US Army (2017b) ADP 6-22 Army Leadership. Available from World Wide Web: http://usacac.army.mil/sites/default/files/misc/doctrine/CDG/adp6_22.html. [Accessed: 22 June, 2017].

CAPE (Centre for the Army Profession and Ethic) (2017) Basic Combat Training Army Values. Available from World Wide Web: http://cape.army.mil/Army%20Values/. [Accessed: 22 June, 2017].

Army Doctrine Reference Publication (ADRP) 1: The Army Profession.

Army Doctrine Reference Publication (ADRP) 6-22: Army Leadership.

Field Manual (FM) 6-22: Army Leader Development.

Army Doctrine Publication (ADP) 6-22: Army Leadership.

Army Regulations (AR) 350-1: Army Training and Leader Development.

Keller, J. (2014) Military Leadership and Leaders. ENDC Proceedings, Volume 19, pp.26-45. Available from World Wide Web: http://www.ksk.edu.ee/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/KVUOA_Toimetised_19_03_keller.pdf. [Accessed: 22 June, 2107].