Profession of Arms Essay Example for Free

Profession of Arms EssayCharacterizing the military as a profession is a widely debated issue. Some attest that the military employs a small cadre of professionals, yet this does not limit the entire vocation as a profession. Others are not so kind and paint a picture of mindless robots plain following orders. The debate rages because it is fundamentally difficult to find an absolute translation for a profession. This troublesome task is further exasperated because the trust of the public ultimately certifies a profession. Nevertheless, the dogma characteristic that remains constant to all professions is that they possess a guiding value-system that controls the effective application of their expertise. 1 The legions constitutes a profession because it possesses an ethical codeal framework that is intrinsically present within the institution. As it relates to a professional ethic, all professions possess a code that governs the moral, ethical and legal activities of their members.For example, The American aesculapian Associations Code of Medical Ethics holds to the Oath of Hippocrates.2 This oath is Western civilizations expression of the apotheosis conduct of a physician.3 Lawyers also take an oath of office that anchors them to the ethical practice of their craft. This code of ethical motive provides parameters for lawyers on how they should conduct their affairs and matters ranging from client confidentiality to conflict of interest.4 Similarly, all members of the United States Army swear or affirm an oath upon initial entry. The Oath of Enlistment or the Oath of Office marks the line of descent of each Soldiers military service and their commitment to a higher ethic. This oath is the fundamentals of the Soldiers moral and legal principles. The Army Values, the Soldiers gospel truth and the Warrior Ethos exemplify the point of the Armys organizational ethic. Some might argue that many organizations have a connatural ethic, yet they are not a profession. Why are athletic squads that incorporate and enforce team rules, not considered professions?Another issue concerning the Army professions ethical barometer stems from comments made by senior Army officials interchangeable General Maxwell Taylor, the fifth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. According to him, as long as a man performed his duty hewas fine. For GEN Taylor, a good Soldier, even a good Officer, could be a bad man.5 What these dissentions fail to consider is that the Army, or any profession, does not singularly apply its ethic to the daily living of its members. Concerning the members of an athletic organization, it moldiness be understood that one does not ethically hit, extend to or throw a ball. Athletes do not apply ethical guidelines in the performances of their sports. Conversely, GEN Taylor fails to realize how hole-and-corner(a) character affects the ability to command troops. One cannot compartmentalize the ethic of professionals into priva te and public sectors. Professionals apply their ethic to the application of their craft on behalf of the society they serve.6 Soldiers, like all members within a profession, must exercise their ethic in the execution of their work, not just in their private lives. Although, a prevalent criterion to qualify a particular vocation as a profession is difficult to quantify, the bullheadedness of a guiding ethic is common to all professional definitions. The Army is a profession because throughout its ranks it has continued to operate within the ethical framework it has set forth for itself. The Army, as a profession, demonstrates not only that it possesses ethical cannon, but is committed to operating by it. The Army Values, the Soldiers Creed and the Warrior Ethos are the natural outpouring of these ethical cannon. Regardless of these facts, it remains unique to a profession that they cannot simply declare themselves a profession.7 The public reserves the right to determine so. Ameri cans will only continue to work out the Army as a profession based on our effective and ethical application of landpower.8 patronage many ethical failings, the American people recognize that the Army possesses the courage to hold its members ethically responsible and therefore legitimize itself as a profession of arms.BibliographyPbs.org,. NOVA The Hippocratic Oath Today. cultivation modified 2014. Accessed kinfolk 12, 2014. http//www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/hippocratic-oath-today.html. Robinson, Paul. Ethics Training And Development In The Military. Ebook. 1st ed., 2007. Accessed September 11, 2014.http//strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/parameters/Articles/07spring/robinson.pdf. Training and Doctrine Command, An Army White Paper The Profession of Arms, 8 December 2010, 2. http//www.benning.army.mil/armor/content/PDF/Profession%20of%20Arms%20White%20Paper%208%20Dec%2010.pdf U.S. Department of the Army. The Army Profession. Army Doctrine and Training Publications 1. Washin gton, DC U.S. Department of the Army, June 13, 2013. Accessed September 11, 2014. http//armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/dr_a/pdf/adrp1.pdf. YourDictionary.com,. Code Of Ethics Examples. Last modified 2014. Accessed September 11, 2014. http//examples.yourdictionary.com/code-of-ethics-examples.html.