Military professional bearing and emotional attributes in deployed contexts

Military and Professional Bearing

Military & Professional Bearing

Army men and women have the ability to accomplish astonishing feats through their valor, bravery and sacrifice; they can endure tremendous hardships and remain perseverant as proven in the historic and present battlefields. On taking-up the oath to become a part of the Army, one enters in to a revered agreement with the motherland and with their subordinates.

The basic ingredients required in a soldier are patience, perseverance and remarkable loyalty to perform no matter how difficult terrain or task is presented to them. In return they expect their leadership's respect and professional behavior. Leadership in army is very important to establish chain of command with a realized fact that in army everyone is a part of same tea, working for the same objective and serving the same nation. In doing so each commissioned officer should treat non-commissioned officer, warrant officer or a petty officer with utmost respect. An Army leader is an intellect, someone with a strong persona and exhibits professional competence with honesty and uncompromising morals. He is a great role model who can act decisively but has self-control and patients towards the subordinates. In warfare it is not just rank or position that gives the role of leadership it is also the moment when someone stands up and fronts the presented risk.

A good subordinate will always be a good leader in army. Good leaders have control on their emotions and exercise great control on their anger and personal deeds. They have great balance between emotions and the ability to command passion of their subordinates and motivate them to achieve common objectives. Leaders who cannot exercise self-control in battlefield lose confidence of their subordinates and in return should expect self-control from their followers. Commissioned officers cannot lose their temper, behave unprofessionally or degrade their non-commissioned or petty officers. Every action is noticed and felt; these actions can be stressful for low ranking officers and some can carry the burden throughout their careers. (Department of the Army, 2006)

These low ranking officers are human beings with real fears, hopes and inspirations of their own. Giving constructive feedback becomes necessary and helps them realize weaknesses and improve their work. Emotionally balanced leaders exhibit the right emotions in different occurring scenarios; they can effectively read emotions of others and through their experience handle problems of non-commissioned officers accordingly. They exercise a variety of attitudes from calm to strong as per the situation with great balance and restraint.

Commissioned and Non-commissioned officers, petty officers and warrant officers all have distinct roles in army but are all working towards the same objective of protecting the constitution and freedom of the great nation from enemy. Commissioned officers and warrant officers serve as role models to non-commissioned officers although their responsibilities and expectations from them are much higher to non-commissioned officers. These non-commissioned officers are often referred as the back bone of the military as these personnel play a very important role in carrying out day-to-day operations. NCOs live, work and train the soldiers, these personnel provide valuable mentorship, advice and act as a bridge between the command and general soldiers. They ensure proper care is taken of soldiers and that they are trained effectively while transition from a civilian to a soldier is complete and concrete. (University of Florida 2012)

Such a role can be questioned by soldiers and high ranking officials and sometimes disrespectful and demeaning instances occur. To cater and discipline these soldiers and commissioned officers punitive article 91 of UCMJ (Uniform code of Military Justice) manual sets out the basic principles and the maximum penalty for insubordination and conduct toward warrant officer, non-commissioned officer or petty officer can be a general court martial. (Power 2012)

Maximum punishment for striking or assaulting a warrant officer is dishonorable discharge, forfeit of pay, allowances and 5-year confinement. Similar punishment applies to non-commissioned and petty officer with confinement of 3 years to 1 year.

Willfully disobeying a lawful order of a warrant officer, non-commissioned or a petty officer also results in a discharge with forfeit of pay and allowances with confinement from 2 years to 1 year. In case of disrespect towards these officers the offense can result in discharge, forfeiture and confinement of 9 months, 6 months or 3 months. (Department of the Army 1986)

This conduct or actions may include; a strike or assault towards a petty officer or a non-commissioned officer while on duty. It also encompasses insubordination or disobeying lawful orders and disrespect in language or actions from personnel towards warrant, non-commissioned and petty officers. This article does not protect acting non-commissioned or acting petty officers and gives relaxation if accused is not aware of the subject's position.

Keeping one's self in control and treating others the way one wants to be treated is the golden principal, in military respect is given because of rank and experience of a superior. Although only some are inspired and are looked up to as role models these are the leaders who command respect by giving respect and don't shy away from the trenches themselves and are compassionate and understand feelings of others. They are knowledgeable and have proved credentials in the art of warfare with uncompromising adherence to military principals.

The responsibilities of a soldier are manifold they are not just restricted to operations and playing the role in war but also of maintaining order. Order within teams, amongst the civilians in enemy territory and order with captured enemy. There are instances in history where civilians are punished for acts of enemy soldiers and such an act can be signal for chaos within the personality of the soldier such an aggression can be later on directed towards the team members, commanding officers and other non-commissioned officers. To promote more respect and compassion towards these officers every soldier should understand the important role they play in military establishment and always treat them with respect. Commanding officers and leadership should also treat all officers as equals especially in their behavior towards non-commissioned and petty officers. Warrant officers due to their specialized skills are given more importance and respect then other non-commissioned or petty officers but such instances can occur between any party if one fails to restrain ones emotions and self-control. (Power, 2012)