Term Paper on "Leadership Practice Concepts"

Term Paper 6 pages (2382 words) Sources: 6

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Army Comradeship: Important to Military Institution

Army Final Paper

DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION

Perhaps there is no organization in the world that is as disciplined, motivated and sophisticated as the United States military. Divided into different service groups, namely, the army, the air force and the navy, this organization consists of the best trained men and women. Not only are these individuals trained to fight and defend their nation's freedom, they are also taught to serve and answer the call of duty during disaster and rescue operations. They represent a new breed of talented people whose flexibility can be mobilized at any given time and place in accordance with a clear and specific objective. The United States army is a bunch of people who can be assigned to restore order in Darfur today, and can be seen fighting California wild fires the next. These individuals comprise a team that will do anything to get the job done. "For the Army to accomplish its mission -- whether in a combat zone or garrison environment -- we must all embrace the concept that we have an opportunity" (Soldiers, 2005, para 4).

The most common stories that people everywhere often hear about the U.S. army are based solely on the news headlines which banners their roles in military operations. The only problem is, only the operational status is being tackled. Issues with regards to the soldiers' personality and character are seldom raised and only the atrocities in relation to war usually surfaces. But there is more to the lives of the soldiers than just fighting battles. They are just ordinary people like the rest of those who watch them on national television. Their roles and functions are what make them different from the crowd.

With the threat of a nuclear war simmering down and the arms race in check, the army is redefining its role nationally and internationally. But the organization still has to recruit a number of people to fill in the different rising needs of the country. The young population of today is attracted, not by the advertisements posted on the side but by the challenges being offered by the army in particular, and the military in general. After high school, numerous young men get an application and join the army. Even individuals armed with college degrees are deciding to head straight to the service. The military environment is a good place to start for idealistic and independent people.

The United States army has imposed standards to make this branch of service be the best in the world. However, the organization is also taking chances on persons with different backgrounds and personalities that have shown a degree of unrecognized potential. This is where this service becomes different from other groups or agencies. Once inside the military barracks, drafted individuals are molded into the kind of person the army wants its cadets to be, disciplined, courageous, brave, respectful, obedient and smart.

THE PROBLEM: PROMOTING COMRADESHIP and Unity in Combat

The nation's warrior's, especially in the recent conflict in and military mission in Iraq and Afghanistan, are well aware of the uncommon and treacherous military tactics and strategy that their enemy employs. They know that a simple misstep could cause disfigurement or death. What they have done is such a great service in honor of their country, to represent those who serve around the world protecting America's way of life. Such principles would still make a wounded soldier stand and continue to stay positive, and remained to feel no bitterness about their injuries. However, they have first their very own lives to protect, which can be better achieved if they do it collectively in the spirit of camaraderie. With such necessary precautions and strong institutional support, soldier's personal philosophy about combat is simple: "When it's your time to go, it's your time to go."

Camaraderie is necessary in every stage of combat, from start to finish. It must accompany every warrior's heart from the very time they are still prepared for deployment, until such time that their military mission is over. At the stage where soldiers are still grouped and established, a common understanding and vision that a military goal could only be obtained through a concerted and unified effort of every one in the team. The whole squad or battalion consists only of one body, and what enables this body to move as organized and in order is the deep sense of camaraderie instilled in every member of the Army.

A common agreement and open-mindedness would enable each member of the team to have a common design of the military pursuit. A member has to keep his obeisance and hide his supremacy unless he is granted such rank and position as to give orders and lay out plan for the team. At this outset, a soldier must maintain and keep his trust and faith upon his comrades, about the viability of the plan, and with the full view that such a plan or strategy to be carried out can only succeed if and when they cooperate and help each one carry out the said plan to materialize and achieve.

While there may be such degree of anonymity among the member of the Armed Forces, still the idea of camaraderie remains as a standard operating procedure. It is automatically instilled in the warrior's mind pursuant to the institution of the military. Camaraderie is necessary for the success of every military undertaking and operation. It is that essential element which must be primordially possessed in every operation. Being contained in single unit, a soldier owes his life and safety to his fellow soldier and vice versa.

Hence, camaraderie must be the setting and mood at the very start of the military operation. It must be in every warrior's mind and heart automatically and naturally. The willingness and desire to carry out a military goal shall enable each military member of the team to depend upon his comrades for the success of the entire operation.

It cannot be argued that the most common form of army camaraderie is that of saving one's wounded comrades from the brink of death in the middle of the crossfire. Such form of camaraderie can be truly counted from one's comrade, there having developed a more intimate personal relationship tested by every battle. A comrade simply values the life of another, and perhaps more than himself, as they have already shared with such intimacy. A comrade is like a brother with a special significance to a soldier.

THE STAKEHOLDERS: THE VALUE OF THE COMRADES

In matter of life and death situation in the middle of the war, the camaraderie of each soldier of the army strengthened as each one has to cling and rely to each other for their survival. It is the comrades whom you have to rely, and which determines whether it is still your time to remain alive. More than anything else, the comrades is the person whom you share the same feeling, sympathy and sacrifice in the middle of battle, sharing the same emotion that you have at the moment, and certainly the most proximate person who share that same feelings and mindset that you have in times of combat.

The feeling a warrior has with his comrade is certainly more than that of a mere brother or a friend. A comrade is accorded utmost value as he is the one whom you have to rely to remain alive. He is the one that you can count on especially when you are hit or are wounded in the midst of encounter. He is a rescuer, a shield, and a savior. A comrade deserves more than the trust that is accorded an ordinary friend. He simply deserves more than that.

There is the sense of reciprocity existing among the soldiers especially at times of war. This sense of reciprocity could be considered as part of the military institution. This rule would simply mean that a soldier must do what he wants others to do unto him in case he gets hit or wounded. This principle is certainly relied upon by the army soldiers for them to take the initiative of helping and saving their wounded comrades. These soldiers must save other's lives much as they want their lives to be saved by others. That is why soldiers value the lives of their comrades as much as they value their own lives. There is no detour for such rule. As life is put at the very core or precariousness and risk, an army soldier, for so long as he has the chance to save his comrade, must take the necessary effort to rescue and save the ailing wounded comrade. Surely, the comrade is truly a friend amidst the war, the person that you can truly count on.

The actual battle is where the test of camaraderie of the military organization is put to question. In battle, the question is not purely how to carry out the original plan… READ MORE

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