TRADOC Pam 525-3-7-01 - TRADOC - U.S. Army

TRADOC Pam 525-3-7-01Courage, discipline, and faithfulness to the governingauthority and one’s fellow Soldiers, have been values ofAmerican Soldiers antedating the creation of an American Armyin 1775. These values were born of the necessities of militarypractice and transplanted norms of British military example intheir American colonies. In the general order announcingCongress’s action calling a Continental Army into existence,George Washington called for observation of “exact disciplineand due Subordination…a due observance of those articles ofwar, established for the Government of the army, which forbidprofane cursing, swearing & drunkenness,” and for officers andmen “not engaged on actual duty, a punctual attendance on divineservice, to implore the blessings of heaven upon the means usedfor our safety and defense.” 6 The commander’s expectation thatsubordinate officers see to the discipline and welfare of theirSoldiers followed immediately. Congress has subsequentlyincorporated these latter expectations of Army commanders, inTitle 10 United States Code, Section 3583, Expectation ofExemplary Conduct.In the general order actuallycalling the Continental Army intobeing New Year’s Day 1776,Washington emphasized order,regularity and discipline, observing,“it is Subordination & Discipline(the Life and Soul of an Army)which next under providence, is tomake up formidable to our enemies,honorable in ourselves, andrespected in the world...” 7Competence in military duties wasassumed within the understandingof discipline. Washington’sscrupulous self-subordination to theContinental Congress and his actions quelling an incipient officerrevolt in Newburgh at the end of the Revolution remain modelsfor emulation by all American service members. For many years,the Army and the Nation considered the various oaths of office,articles of war and commission documents, adequate to expressinstitutional values alongside the example of heroic conductvenerated publicly by the Nation and the Army. Following thewar in Vietnam, it became the custom to codify official ArmyValues. There are seven: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless-service,honor, integrity, and personal courage.The Soldier’s CreedI am an AmericanSoldier.I am a Warrior and amember of a team.I serve the people of theUnited States and livethe Army Values.I will always place themission first.I will never acceptdefeat.I will never quit.I will never leave afallen comrade.I am disciplinedphysically and mentallytough, trained andproficient in myWarrior tasks anddrills.I will always maintainmy arms, myequipment, and myself.I am an expert and I ama professional.I stand ready to deploy,engage, and destroy theenemies of the UnitedStates of American inclose combat.I am a guardian offreedom and theAmerican way of life.I am an AmericanSoldier17