Duty (cont.)

Here is the second half of my work on duty.

As a leader it becomes extremely important to embrace a common sense of duty. I have briefly described the potential hazards of losing focus on such a key issue. In the end all responsibility falls on the leaders’ shoulders. It is the responsibility for any leader to ensure that all tasks assigned to subordinates are completed. Supervision of subordinates remains extremely important even in garrison operations. Without having someone keep an eye on soldiers, soldiers are given enough room to succumb to cutting corners. Allowing such habits causes soldiers to not be prepared for war. It is the responsibility of that leader to fully prepare all subordinates.

It is especially important for the leader to fully embrace his or her duty not only to the nation but to those entrusted to him or her. Army officers must always serve as the model for all others to follow. Soldiers are constantly looking higher for guidance and examples. A leader who fails to accomplish what is assigned has no place in a position of authority. There is no room for hypocrisy in the Army. How can soldiers be held to a standard that their leaders fall short? In order for a leader to be successful, he or she must rely on comrades to fulfill their obligations. There is no way that anyone will follow another who does not hold him or herself to the highest standard.

Failing to live by the Army Values is unacceptable by any soldier. People’s lives depend upon doing what is right at all times. Foregoing this moral code will cripple any organization and, in the case of the Army, will literally cripple those who have stepped forward to fight for freedom. All precautions must be taken to ensure that we continue to operate at the highest level. We owe it to those fighting around us and to the rest of the world. The United States Army serves as a benevolent overseer of those who cannot fight for themselves. We owe it to those for whom we fight.