7 Army Values

In the US army we are taught to live by the 7 army values. They are broken down to us in the acronym �LDRSHIP’. Loyalty “Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. constitution, the Army, and other soldiers.” Duty “Fulfill your obligations.” Respect “Treat people as they should be treated.” Selfless Service “Put the welfare of the nation, the Army and your subordinates above your own.” Honor “Live up to the army values.”

Integrity “Do what’s right legally and morally.” and Personal Courage “Face fear, danger or adversity (physical or moral).” We are all drilled on these 7 army values from day one of basic training. First we commit them to memory. Then we learn to live by them.

All 7 values have an impact on each other, and are an integral part of ones moral standing. These 7 “Army Values” however reach FAR beyond the military. Too many people fail to realize the importance these values have on the way that one is perceived by those around them.

Take Loyalty for example. In my personal opinion, Loyalty means being a person that other’s can count on. That when the time comes, you will be there to do what needs to be done. You will be true and faithful to them no matter the outcome. If that loyalty is not observed by both parties involved however, then that sense of loyalty may eventually change or even fade.

Duty to me is accomplishing a task that needs to be done, no matter how much you’d rather be doing something else. Whether you love it or hate it. The task is there to be done. If one does not fulfill their duties on a regular basis, then those around them have to pick up the slack, and any sense of loyalty begins to become tarnished.

Everyone wants to be respected. It’s in our nature, but in order to obtain respect, first of all….one has to respect oneself. Second, one has to show respect to others in order to gain respect from them. If one doesn’t show respect to someone, that person may often feel slighted and lose respect for the person who slighted them.

Selfless Service is the act of performing a service without expecting any type of personal gain. One does the service for the benefit of other people, and out of the goodness of their heart…..or even out of a sense of loyalty to that person or those people. When things look their best, these are the people that you admire. When things look their worst, these are the people that you pray are by your side.

If the seven army values were like a stairway or a pyramid, then Honor would be at the top step. It takes all seven of the army values and more to have a good sense of honor. Honor can not be obtained without first having a good, strong set of morals and values, and then upholding those morals and values on a day to day basis.

Integrity is like the glue that holds all of these other values together. Integrity is about being honest, and doing what’s right. One cannot be morally loyal to someone with a lack of integrity. Also one who lacks integrity can not be counted upon to perform their duties consistently. Consequentially, one who is moral would not want to be surrounded by people who lack integrity. Respect, although