The Respect For Military Authority Philosophy Essay

The United States Army is structured on several values and principles that it upholds, among these are military bearing, discipline and respect. These principles represents what the organization strongly believes in and governs the most basic customs and courtesies that all its members should abide by, otherwise legal repercussion and punishment is enforced that could ultimately result in separation from the organization.

One is to observe a sense of calmness even in the most stressful situations, leaders of the United States Army should maintain their military bearing even in situations where it seems chaotic, out of control or a civilian would respond in panic. One may ask why so? The reason for this goes back to situations in where leaders, Non-Commisioned officers and officers would have to make swift decisions in the battlefield that may affect the lives of their soldiers. In a world of chaos, their subordinates are relying on their leaders to make the right decision and trusting that those big decisions made is the best out of all the options given. Leaders should be able to make these big decisions with all his confidence projecting out with his military bearing. A leader should look like a leader, disciplined, confident, and have the skills and abilities to persuade and provide their subordinates with the motivation, direction and purpose so as to accomplish a mission without being easily rattled by problems that arises. As a basic everyone is expected to address everyone by their proper tittles. In the Army, saluting is to show respect toward an officer, flag, or our country. When talking to an officer, stand at the position of attention unless given the order “at ease”. discipline is a specific form of instruction which develops self control, character, and efficiency. Discipline is the most important in order to ensure the efficiency of the military organization. The level of discipline directly affects a soldier’s conduct and it affects every aspect of the military life.

The foundation of Military Law is in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Therefore, the Uniform Code of Military Justice applies to all active duty members 24 hours a day 7 days a week, for as long as a person remains in the military life. The UCMJ document outlines which behaviors and unacceptable and the punishments for each offense.

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Customs and courtesies play a roll on military discipline, but why? What does courtesy have to do with discipline? Courtesy is define as polite behavior, and gracious manner or manners, or a polite gesture. Therefore, military courtesy is courteous behavior towards those of higher rank, as well as to those below grade or rank. Its extending respect to seniors at all times and the proper conduct, discipline, prompt execution of orders and to maintain separation of ranks. Customs and courtesies both are used in the civilian and military world. Customs are those things we do in the military because we are “disciplined”. For example, if a Non Commissioned Officer walks towards a soldier,the soldier must stop and immediately got to “parade rest” or “at ease” unless the Non Commissioned Officer says to “relax”.

When people enter the Army life, they become soldiers, soldiers who are taught to be disciplined in the military manner. As soldiers they are taught that if they have poor discipline it can result in the loss of a soldier’s life. Being disciplined simply means the understanding of our tasks and obeying our orders promptly because our fellow soldiers and leaders depend on us to do so. The purpose of discipline is to make us soldiers well trained, to ensure we wear the uniform properly, follow orders, or to repeat tasks until they are done correctly. In routine, discipline is things like saluting, addressing everyone with their proper tittles such as Sergeant, Sir, Ma’am, Etc.

Discipline isn’t just following orders or just giving punishments for doing the “wrong thing” but is something leaders and soldiers built together. Discipline is the desire to do what is right even if its difficult. It’s the desire to accomplish a task well, not because of fear to get punish but because of pride in oneself. With the discipline developed in training a soldier will get the job done, discipline gives the confidence to act correctly and properly even under stressful conditions. A disciplined unit is made up of well trained soldiers who trust each other and know they can accomplish any mission they are giving.

Discipline is actually a positive value that protects us from danger and destruction. Discipline is defined as training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement. Its also define as a systematic method to obtain obedience. Every soldier is evaluated on discipline to endure the strain of long hours of hard work, and social discipline to live and behave within a community of strict standards. Each person comes into this world with some capacity to think and reason and making tough decisions takes a discipline mind. Being willing and able to make tough decisions is built upon maturity and sound judgement.

When a person enlists into the military life, they swear to obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over them, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Therefore, military discipline should be a priority in every soldiers life to give respect to the higher ranking personnel, like the Chain of Command or the Non Commissioned Officer Support Channel. The Chain of Command provides a method of showing respect to the next senior person as well as a method of maintaining the integrity of the organization. As to the Non Commissioned Officer Support Channel is designed to be subordinate to and supportive of the Chain of Command. The Non Commissioned Officer Support Channel is used for executing the commanders orders and getting jobs done.

The Chain of Command has legal responsibility for training, discipline, and overall welfare. Discipline is also respect, one of the Army Values. Respect means to treat people as they should be treated. A person to deserve respect should always recognize dignity of all, demonstrate consideration for others, be courteous and polite, value diversity and should not take advantage of positions of authority when being in charge of others. People should always have respect for a person for who the person is and not only for the rank they have on. Also, Integrity, another of the Army Values. Integrity is to do what is right, legally and morally. Integrity consists of always doing what’s right at all times, even at personal costs. It possesses a high standard of moral values and principles, of avoiding the wrong and standing up for what is right.

Military discipline is one of the biggest requirements for United States Army soldiers. It is a learned skill that civilians differ from soldiers. This ability, just like little kids in pre-school, is taught in basic training as civilians are transformed into soldiers. As a soldiers progresses through his military career, his military discipline is thought to be solidly carved and polished into his being, not only because he is a soldier but because this is who he is. Minute details on everything that he does, refining and the endless search for perfection on daily tasks and duties, obedience on following orders, taking initiative on self-improvement are some examples of military discipline. I remember countless times when I have been subjected to physical punishment because I have not done a task according to its minute details, and I have learned that through punishment, individuals learn to perfect and accomplish goals more easily. It teaches you and will surely make you not forget and what you are supposed to be doing and what should have been done if mistakes are present. Punishment goes hand in hand with military discipline because it is only through this way individuals will learn and avoid from prior mistakes. The fear of punishment is the basis for learning fast and what one should or should not do.

It may be a little harsh in the eyes of civilians but in the military, this is the only way. How is one supposed to follow what is taught if there is no fear of punishment and reprisal for disobedience. Training, retraining and punishment until perfection is achieved is military discipline. The reason for this goes back to battlefield and combat conditions once again. It is through military discipline that wars fought could be won or essentially save thousands of lives. Military discipline is taught and learned with precision because these lessons are things that one should always remember and one mistake could greatly impact a mission or change one’s life. A good example of this is soldiers who are not actively engaged in firing should always switch their weapons on safe, they teach you and remind you and instill on you that these procedure needs to be followed at all times. The reason why, if you accidentally pulled the trigger and is aimed at yourself or a comrade, then you could potentially kill yourself or someone else thus lessening the combat fire power and ultimately affecting the mission. Military discipline teaches one on making these essential lessons to be learned as if it is second nature to you. One has military discipline when you obey orders, follow procedures and continue the mission even if none of your superior is over your head telling you on what to do.

One has military discipline when orders are being executed appropriately without being reminded on how it is supposed to be done because it is second nature to you or it has been developed as habit. In addition to this, military discipline teaches you on how to be a team player. You will do everything in your power, the best of your ability to do what is necessary to win a war or to win for your team by contributing what is your best. When one place the needs of his team above his own needs, then one has military discipline. To be disciplined is to be unselfish, it is human nature to be selfish, placing one’s needs such as personal safety, pleasure, profit above anything else and when one has learned how to be a team player, understanding that sometimes you will have to sacrifice one’s needs for the betterment of the team in accomplishing a mission, then one has truly acquired and grasped the true meaning of military discipline. The enemy will stand no chance against a well directed and well-disciplined army.

Respect is one of the key values in the United States Army. Respect for your subordinates, peers, seniors and officers are highly regarded. Respect begets respect… in the civilian world. But usually in the military, anyone who has a higher rank than what you are wearing, respect is expected, not that respect is not expected for you to give if they are of the same rank or a lower rank but because they have earned the rank and respect is due. No matter how crooked, bent or unorganized you think he is, you are expected to give respect and act accordingly, otherwise anyone challenging the authority of a non-commissioned officer or his seniors is legally punished and reprimanded. And this is the code of the military and that all army personnel must abide by. When one has joined and has sworn in to be a member of the United States Army, he has given up the right to speak out his opinion for no matter what he thinks or believes in. He has voluntarily given up his first amendment right of the constitution, he has given up his right of freedom of speech, unlike the civilians who can speak their minds openly and freely. This is how the ranking works in the military, whatever your superior says, you are only expected to agree or say “Roger”, regardless if you agree or disagree to whatever he is saying is irrelevant. Your opinion is irrelevant because you are supposed to follow orders and give respect to what your superior thinks is right. He had earned his rank by serving more years than you have and is more experienced with problems and situation that arises. Respect in the military is highly regarded because it provides structure and foundation through the chain of command to respect the rank and authority. Without military respect and respect for authority, there will be no structure and the entirety of the United States Army would fail.

Personnel would have no fear for punishment from his seniors nor a basis for accomplishing a mission. Structure within the military provides balance and order within the organization. Respect for authority will ensure that duties and responsibilities by each and everyone is accomplished with the best of their abilities. It ensures that tasks are executed and goals are reached. In addition to this, respect in the military is shown through military courtesy, as it is one of the integral part of the United States Army because this reflects one’s discipline and respect for one another as well as a unit’s cohesion and discipline. Proper customs and courtesies are expected as well. Officers are saluted by enlisted personnel or rendered a greeting during the day as a sign of acknowledgement and respect for the rank they wear. Salutes, honor and courtesies are rendered when appropriate.

In conclusion, military bearing, discipline and respect provides the foundation of a highly organized, highly efficient organization such as the United States Army. This values are the core of this organization and provides structure, leadership, motivation and assurance that soldiers will be attentive to details, orders will be followed and mission will be accomplished. One must not forget that all of these values revolves around one thing and that’s is the accomplishment of a mission.