JP 1, Doctrine for the Armed Forces of the United States - Defense ...

APPENDIX B
THE PROFESSION OF ARMS
1. General
a. A professional is a person of both character and competence. As military
professionals charged with the defense of the Nation, joint leaders must be experts in the
conduct of war. They must be moral individuals both of action and of intellect, skilled at
getting things done, while at the same time conversant in the military art.
b. Every joint leader is expected to be a student of the art and science of war. Officers
especially are expected to have a solid foundation in military theory and philosophy, and
knowledge of military history and the timeless lessons to be gained from it. Leaders must
have a strong sense of the great responsibility of their office; the resources they will expend
in war include their fellow citizens.
c. Strong character and competence represent the essence of the US joint military force
and its leaders. Both are the products of lifelong learning and are embedded in JPME.
2. Character and Competence
a. Character refers to the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual
nature of a person. In the context of the profession of arms, it entails moral and ethical
adherence to our values. Character is at the heart of the relationship of the profession with
the American people, and to each other.
b. Competence is central to the profession of arms. Competent performance includes
both the technical competence to perform the relevant task to standard as well as the ability
to integrate that skill with others. Those who will lead joint operations must develop skill in
integrating forces into smoothly functioning joint teams.
c. Values of Joint Service. US military service is based on values that US military
experience has proven to be vital for operational success. These values adhere to the most
idealistic societal norms, are common to all the Services, and represent the essence of
military professionalism. Integrity, competence, physical courage, moral courage, and
teamwork all have special impact on the conduct of joint operations.
3. Values
a. US military service is based on values that US military experience has proven to be
vital for operational success. These values adhere to the most idealistic societal norms, are
common to all the Services, and represent the essence of military professionalism. Duty,
honor, courage, integrity, and selfless service are the calling cards of the profession of
arms.
(1) Duty is our foremost value. It binds us together and conveys our moral
commitment or obligation as defenders of the Constitution and servants of the Nation. As
B-1