The Soldiers Creed
Prior to enlisting many of the soldiers to be, have no idea what the the Soldiers creed is all about. In this blog post our Voice of the Veteran talks about the importance of the soldiers creed.
The Importance of the Soldier’s Creed
The Soldier’s Creed is something that teaches you the values of an Army soldier. It is taught either in boot camp or by your recruiter if you have a good one. Your recruiter should at least provide you the Soldier’s Creed in writing prior to you leaving for boot camp. I can guarantee that you will not graduate boot camp until you can recite this anywhere, anytime, upon request. The great thing about the Soldier’s Creed and its importance is that is the way the Army expects you to live and perform in the Army. If you do this, you will have great success as a soldier. This should be followed and the SOP for everything you do in the Army. The Soldiers Creed will make each mission and task a success.
I Am a Warrior
This is the first part of the creed: “I am a warrior and a member of a team. I will serve the people of the United States, and live the Army values.” What does this mean? This is simple; whether you’re a combat MOS soldier or a cook, you are a warrior first. This is why every MOS in boot camp is trained in infantry tactics. When you deploy, you will carry a weapon or at least be assigned one. You qualify with your weapon to make sure you’re proficient if called upon to use it. Remember that you’re a member of a team and there is no successful soldier that is not a member of a team. The Army teaches you teamwork from day one in boot camp. To be part of the team means just that—helping others and passing on the knowledge and experience you have. To be part of the team doesn’t mean sitting in the back and waiting for somebody else to complete a task or assignment. It means collaborating with other team members to complete the task or mission. To serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values. You signed a contract and took an oath to defend against all enemies foreign and domestic. This is how you serve the people of the United States. To live the Army Values. I will not list each one, but the Army Values coincide with the Soldier’s Creed and are the keys to your success in the Army.
Mission First
The mission as assigned should always be your first priority. This means do not get side tracked or caught off guard with distractions. This includes the internet, Facebook, Xbox, etc. If the mission isn’t the top priority, how will it be a success?
Be a Winner
To be a winner you must never accept defeat! This means train hard. Train to become an expert on the subject matter in your MOS.
Quitting Is Not in Your Vocabulary
“I will never quit.” You should never even consider quitting. This starts with boot camp and goes on into your MOSQ training. Once you quit, it becomes easier to quit in anything you do and becomes harder to overcome adversity. Let’s face it, quitting is simply taking the easy way out! If you quit it affects others’ morale, and of course, the success of the mission and its completion.
No One Gets Left Behind!
This is spelled out very easily. No matter what the circumstances are, you don’t ever leave a fallen comrade! There are many of us out there that have had to load our comrades on helicopters or CASEVAC vehicles, dead or alive. This is a very hard thing to do, but it must be done. No matter where, when, or why, never leave a fallen comrade and never leave anyone behind.
Disciplined, Physically and Mentally Tough
“I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I will always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.” This may be the most important and critical part of the Soldier’s Creed. This will keep you and your comrades safe. To be proficient in your warrior tasks and drills, you must practice them over and over. They must become second nature, yes, even land navigation. If you get lost on a practice course, how will we ever find you in real time! To maintain your arms means knowing where your weapons are at all times, keeping them operational and on safety when they don’t need to be fired. Your equipment should have preventative maintenance on it regularly. It may be too late when you realize the batteries in your CCO are dead. Take care of yourself, do PT, and pass tests above the minimum standard. As a soldier and member of the team, not only should you strive to be the best, but you should also help others be their best as well.
The Expert and Professional
“I am an expert and I am a professional.” To be an expert does not just mean in weapons qual. This also means knowing your equipment, understanding each and every part of the mission, and being able to teach others as well. Be a subject matter expert in every part of your MOS and understand others as well. To be a professional means being respectful to your peers and colleagues, to all NCOs and officers, and conducting yourself with the highest honor, loyalty, discipline, and integrity at all times.
Always be Prepared
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat. To be prepared is to always be ready physically and mentally. It doesn’t matter whether you’re at home, at work, or on vacation. Always be ready and know where you should be when you should be. To engage and destroy your enemy in close combat means being an expert with your weapon and equipment and having the courage to face your enemy face to face without question or fear.
Freedom
“I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.” As a member of the military, you are that 1 percent that will stand up and fight and perform, no matter the sacrifice. People depend on you to make the ultimate sacrifice just as others before you have to protect the freedoms that we Americans enjoy every day. Your soldiers and all Americans rely on you to keep them protected and safe.
I Am an American Soldier and so Are You
Be proud of what you do. Do it with honor and dedication and live the Soldier’s Creed!
