Wednesday, July 30, 2014
What is it?
The Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA) hosts the inaugural Army Profession Symposium at West Point, New York, July 30-31, 2014. The symposium’s purpose is to develop a shared vision, reinforce guidance, and generate dialogue on “Living the Army Ethic.” Attendees will review the Army Ethic White Paper; explore future ethical challenges to the Army Profession; and discuss the concept and strategy for Character Development.
The event is sponsored by the commanding general (CG), U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). Invitees include senior Army leaders from all components.
Why is this important to the Army?
The CSA’s intent in establishing this symposium is to generate shared understanding of the central role of the Army Ethic in explaining, inspiring, and motivating why and how we serve. As the Army moves further into the 21st century, the Army is in a period of strategic transition which presents tremendous opportunities for the profession. The Army should be the nation’s leading institution for human capital and ethical development. To be that leader, the Army must intensify its understanding of what it means for the Army to be a Profession.
What has the Army done?
In October 2010, the Secretary of the Army and the CSA directed the CG, TRADOC to conduct a critical review to assess how protracted years of war affected members of the Army Profession. The findings and recommendations led to several initiatives (e.g., publication of Army Doctrine Reference Publication (ADRP) 1: The Army Profession.
The CSA also released the Army Ethic White Paper making the case for a concise, motivating, inspiring expression of the Army Ethic based on American values, laws, oaths, creeds, ethos, and our shared beliefs as Army Professionals. The CSA also approved the FY15-16 America’s Army - Our Profession theme Living the Army Ethic.
What efforts does the Army plan to continue in the future?
This Army Profession Symposium for senior Army leaders will be followed by an Army Junior Leader Forum in the near future. The Army Leader Development Program will be re-designated as the Army Profession and Leader Development Program in recognition of the essential integration of professional and leader development. The Army is writing a concise articulation of its ethic to be published in a revision of ADRP1 in 2015.
Resources:
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