Importance of Teamwork in Peace and War

Teamwork in the Military

Teamwork is a vital element of military operations. From the moment a civilian joins the military and becomes a representative of this nation, the notion of teamwork is instilled in them. There are no functions that can be carried out from a military perspective without effective and efficient teamwork operations. Teamwork is helpful in promoting unity, support and understanding in times of both peace and war, and civilians might benefit from the training programs and philosophy of teamwork that has been adopted by military personnel.

John a Marx, an army colonel and commander of the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service noted in an awards ceremony that teamwork is the heart and soul of the military institution, and that "each of us (military personnel) has our strengths and weaknesses, and we need each other to compensate for areas where we are weak." From a military perspective, in times of peace teamwork helps individuals realize their true potential and find ways to contribute to the team utilizing unique talents and abilities. In times of war, those that are strong in some areas will compensate for those that are weak in others, to ensure that all operations are carried out in an efficient, productive and safe manner for all involved.

Marx's statements ring true for many personnel that realize that by working together in times of both peace and war, a military unit can accomplish a mission. There is no place for independent workers on the battlefield, where team members must rely on each other for support, encouragement and in fact the preservation of their very lives. Military members also rely on each other for support, particularly in times of war when communications from loved ones may be scant at best or cut off entirely. Without the support of team members, it is likely that many personnel would lose encouragement and motivation in times of crisis.

Other previous military members including a veteran serving in the Vietnam war noted that teamwork helped keep people on target, in line, and helped prevent "sloppy work" and a "bad attitude" (Curtis, 2004). If nothing else, teamwork provides military personnel with support and encouragement in times when they need it most. Even thought the Vietnam war was unpopular at home, the military personnel fighting for this country were able to rely on one another for support and encouragement, and to ensure that to as great an extent as possible they survived and thrived in the post war era. This is merely another example of the benefits of teamwork in the military.

In the current Iraq crisis Col. Brian Morr, a member of the 447th Expeditionary Medical Support command notes that his team includes medical professionals and basis, and admits that an effective team is one that sticks together, capable of overcoming any obstacle in any situation (Manley, 2003). Many members of the military follow the same training program worldwide, which enhances their ability to work on a team even when they haven't work together previously (Manley, 2003). Training that is uniform ensures that every person no matter what their skills, abilities and background is taught the foundational principles to make up a strong and supportive team network. This is an essential foundation for the military's concept of teamwork.