Respect and Disrespect in the United States Army

I am writing this essay to provide information on respect and disrespect in the United States Army. The effects that it has on leadership in everyday life. The effect it has on your own self, and your reputation as a United States soldier in day to day life. Also why there is a certain system put in place such as respect in the army. The United States Army is structured on several values and principles that it upholds, among these are military bearing, discipline and respect. These principles represents what the organization strongly believes in and governs the most basic customs and courtesies that all its members should abide by, otherwise legal repercussion and punishment is enforced that could ultimately result in separation from the organization.

One of the first things that is drilled into us from the beginning, is respect. From the second you get to MEPS you are told there is a system in place, a system that works in a way that you have leaders, superiors, and you will respect your superiors. No matter what rank you are if they hold a higher position you will give them the courtesies that is deserved. As stated in FM 7-21.13 chapter 4.

"The Army is an organization that instills pride in its members because of its history, mission capabilities, and the respect it had earned in the service of the nation. A reflection of that pride is visible in the customs, courtesies, and traditions the army holds. Adherence to them connects us with soldiers throughout Americas history." That being said respect should be greatly enforced in order to maintain an effective fighting team, respect is one of the united states military's core values.When a person enlists into the military life, they swear to obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over them, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

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Therefore, military discipline should be a priority in every soldiers life to give respect to the higher ranking personnel, like the Chain of Command or the Non Commissioned Officer Support Channel. The Chain of Command provides a method of showing respect to the next senior person as well as a method of maintaining the integrity of the organization. As to the Non Commissioned Officer Support Channel is designed to be subordinate to and supportive of the Chain of Command. The Non Commissioned Officer Support Channel is used for executing the commanders orders and getting jobs done.

The Chain of Command has legal responsibility for training, discipline, and overall welfare. Discipline is also respect, one of the Army Values. Respect means to treat people as they should be treated. A person to deserve respect should always recognize dignity of all, demonstrate consideration for others, be courteous and polite, value diversity and should not take advantage of positions of authority when being in charge of others. People should always have respect for a person for who the person is and not only for the rank they have on.

Now this is especially important if you are specialist and below, and you have a conversation with an non commissioned officers. Go to parade rest and talk only when spoken to, why? Because this is the system put in place. The system works in order to put different responsibilities on more experienced individuals. An e-5 has soldiers, e-6 has a platoon, etc. A Non commissioned Officers duties are numerous and have to be taken seriously in the fact that they not only have soldiers under there command but at most times they have someone in command of them, that expects a certain level of proficiency from him or her, and including that Non commissioned Officers soldiers. A Non commissioned Officers duty is to provide help and support through training, and experience.

Especially in a battle situation a Non commissioned officer is expected to direct his troops effectively, and tactfully. And the troops under him expect that what he or she is saying in such a situation is the most effective path to take in that said situation. When people enter the Army life, they become soldiers, soldiers who are taught to be disciplined in the military manner. As soldiers they are taught that if they have poor discipline it can result in the loss of a soldier’s life. Being disciplined simply means the understanding of our tasks and obeying our orders promptly because our fellow soldiers and leaders depend on us to do so. The purpose of discipline is to make us soldiers well trained, to ensure we wear the uniform properly, follow orders, or to repeat tasks until they are done correctly.

In routine, discipline is things like saluting, addressing everyone with their proper tittles such as Sergeant, Sir, Ma’am, Etc.Discipline isn’t just following orders or just giving punishments for doing the “wrong thing” but is something leaders and soldiers built together. Discipline is the desire to do what is right even if its difficult. It’s the desire to accomplish a task well, not because of fear to get punish but because of pride in oneself. With the discipline developed in training a soldier will get the job done, discipline gives the confidence to act correctly and properly even under stressful conditions.  A disciplined unit is made up of well trained soldiers who trust each other and know they can accomplish any mission they are giving.

Take away that respect, and the whole system falls in to chaos. Disrespect to a non commissioned officer is punishable, anywhere from a counseling to a article-15 UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) not only would it screw up the system, but it would also tarnish your reputation. Among everything your reputation is your most important virtue. your reputation is the most important thing that you have because it reflexes who you are to your leaders and others. that being said you must maintain a certain level of discipline with your officers and your Non commissioned officers, in the United States Army.

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