army values

Personal courage is the strength of character…..the conviction to win the battles before us against an entrenched bureaucracy and egotistical people who are stuck in old paradigms of the status quo. As a Soldier, I feel that personal courage is one of the most important of all values. It is not a value that stands alone, but rather one that encompasses all of the other Army
Values. Courage is most commonly viewed as physical in nature; many do not realize that true courage comes from the ability to overcome mental not physical challenges. To stand before the advancing enemy is a Soldier’s job; its outcome being victory, death, or dishonor. Moral courage takes an individual with much more bravery. To stand up for what is right in the face of those whom you must also display loyalty to is sometimes more of a difficult task. You are no longer protected by the Soldiers on your left and right flank….you stand alone….against someone much more formidable than the enemy. Your livelihood, way of life, finances, freedom, future and general freedom all stand to be lost; however, this is what personal courage is about. The bravery to stand alone for what is right…to take care of what is needed to accomplish the mission, to take care of your Soldiers, or to stand behind any principal or value that you belief is important. An example that I often reflect upon of physical courage was the time that
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