The Profession of Arms

[Richard]

"The Profession of Arms" - a review of the Army profession in an era of persistent conflict - TRADOC White Paper dtd 8 Dec 2010.

An interesting read.

Richard :munchin

[Pete]

"........Modern military professions have a unique character, a moral and legal foundation, that reflects their nation‘s heritage, values, and culture......."

Since this was written in December...........

[dr. mabuse]

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[Penn]

This chain of authority argues against the idea that the ultimate loyalty for Army professionals is simply to the Constitution. Rather, Army professionals are loyal to the Constitution, and thus to the people, by being obedient to elected and appointed officials and the Commander-in-Chief. Thus, being willingly subordinate to civilian authority is based on loyalty to the source of its authority. This principle was perhaps best exemplified by General George Washington in his resignation to Congress at the close of the Revolutionary War. By this act he ensured that his immense national popularity as a military leader and hero would not overshadow the necessary power of the fledgling Congress. Thus the American military has long recognized and embraced a moral tradition of subordinating service to country.


The above paragraph is problematic as the first sentence restates, or reforms, under current leadership an interpretation which connects civilian elected leadership as the defining mission to defend, and not the constitution as a moral artifact of our social contract.

This chain of authority argues against the idea that the ultimate loyalty for Army professionals is simply to the Constitution.

The constitution is the single moral authority that authorizes the use of force to protect its moral sovereignty. It precludes, “This chain of authority”, as in temporary entities, from subverting its moral foundation, by passing morally bankrupted elected officials, as it authorizes in its concepts, the defense of unalienable rights.

[RTK]

This is interesting insight to how the new CSA thinks. I also commend to your attention his series in Army Magazine on leadership and professionalism over the past 5 months:

http://www.ausa.org/publications/armymagazine/archive/2010/11/Documents/Dempsey_1110.pdf - A Campaign of Learning To Achieve Institutional Adaptation

http://www.ausa.org/publications/armymagazine/archive/2010/12/Documents/Dempsey_1210.pdf - Concepts Matter

http://www.ausa.org/publications/armymagazine/archive/2011/1/Documents/Dempsey_0111.pdf - Mission Command

http://www.ausa.org/publications/armymagazine/archive/2011/2/Documents/Dempsey_0211.pdf - Leader Development

http://www.ausa.org/publications/armymagazine/archive/2011/3/Documents/Dempsey_0311.pdf - Win, Learn, Focus, Adapt, Win Again