Preview

Accountability and Responsibility in the Army

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1497 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Accountability and Responsibility in the Army
As I have learned over the past seven years that I have been in the Army is that accountability and responsibility are the two most important things that the organization focuses on. In this essay, I will be discussing the importance of accountability and the responsibilities as a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). Accountability is concerned primarily with records, while responsibility is concerned primarily with custody, care, and safekeeping.

Accountability is defined as, the obligation imposed by law or lawful order or regulation on an officer or other person for keeping accurate record of property, documents, or funds. The person having this obligation may or may not have actual possession of the property, documents, or funds. Though I am aware of the different types of accountability in my case, I failed to ensure one of the most important, which is personal accountability. One of the values in the United States Army, that most seek in soldiers is accountability. Accountability (in this case) means that you can be relied upon to arrive to work and appointments on time, meet deadlines, be in the right place at the right time, and do what needs to be done to complete the mission at hand. Failing to be accounted imposes actions to be taken not only upon yourself but on your chain of command as well. As a NCO, I know that I must lead from the front and set an example for the junior enlisted soldiers as well as my peers, and subordinates. I knew that once I raised my right hand and recited the oath, I became accountable not only for myself but for my fellow comrades as well and I learned that it begins with self. If I can 't fully account for myself how can or why should I expect to be held accountable for a soldier, squad or platoon.

As a non-commissioned officer, I know that my unit, immediate leaders and the army expects me to be accountable. I must ensure that I follow the regulation (s) in the event that I may be out of work by:

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    So why is accountability important to the US Army? Accountability is a very important part of an enlisted and an NCO's job. The enlisted soldier is responsible to him whether it be a weapon, NVG's, clothes, a vehicle, TA-50, a fileld manual, medication (morphine, or any narcotics) BII ect. The NCO's responsibility is to make sure that the soldier is accountable for the items and has eyes on these items when needed, so that he can report it to his higher command.…

    • 741 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Trust, military expertise, honorable service, esprit de corps, and stewardship are the five characteristics of the Army Profession.1 Each characteristic contains its own level of significance in the Army. It’s arguable that no characteristic can be more prestigious than the other. However, my experience in the Army has taught me that all these characteristics can be tied to trust. Trust is the blood that allows the Army to thrive, supplying life both to its surrounding people and to its internal organization. Trust brings unity, raising morale between leaders and their subordinates. Not only do we rely on each other’s knowledge and expertise for guidance, but the American people also rely on us to serve and protect our nation’s land. They rely on our guardianship, our honorable service, and entrust that our timeless morals, traditions, and values will remain intact throughout the change of leadership.…

    • 664 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Nco Charge

    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages

    I neglected one of the key ties bringing both the NCO Charge and the NCO Creed together. The charge, "I am charged at all times with presenting an image of competency, integrity, and pride - The image of a Professional NCO," is very similar to the last paragraph of the NCO Creed. Both highlight professionalism which I directly link to personal honor. My honor is damaged beyond repair but more importantly, I have damaged the honor of thousands of people whom I have never met and that do not deserve to be treated as I have treated them.…

    • 500 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    accountablility

    • 1309 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Accountability is an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for ones actions. Those that are unable to be accountable are the ones that jeopardize the combat readiness of any unit. It is the understanding that everyone is going to do and is willing to do the right thing even when no one else is looking. Everyone is assigned tasks and details not only including your own job that you are expected to do and do right but hold others accountable as well as a system of “check yourself, than check your buddy.” Doing the job correctly and ensuring others do it as well and do it safely are all part of accountability in the military as it can be dangerous given the types of equipment and tools we use. As an example any tools and or equipment left unsupervised can be lost and or stolen. As such in that event if the tools and or equipment was left out instead of signed out the wrong person becomes accountable. Everyone is accountable for their actions. You should always act responsibly as well, not just yourself but everyone. We spend thousands of dollars for each person to be trained and when ready, the expectation at your permanent party duty station is that you are going to be accountable for your actions and you as an individual operate and, that everyone around you is going to do the same. It is what is not only taught but it is what’s expected from everyone. Being accountable means being dependable, showing up to work and to appointments on time, meeting deadlines, being at the right place and at the right time and doing the right thing at the right time. It is also to see if everyone showed up to work or where they are supposed to be. Accountability is not only for keeping track of other people it can also be for keeping track of money, gear, legal documents, and many other things. The reason you would want to keep track of any of this is so if there is ever a time where a lot of equipment or other items goes missing you would be able to look…

    • 1309 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Soldiers must be and act responsibly in every situation they may find themselves in, whether it’s in or out of uniform. Responsibility increases when soldiers believe that they have personal control over their mission performance, performing out of desire to do well instead of just following orders. There have been many studies that have suggested that when a Soldier feels that they have personal control over work performance the result is that the Soldier has a better task performance, better problem solving, and a higher persistence in accomplishing the task, more positive emotions and even better psychological and physical health. Responsibility and accountability are two of the main factors in being a successful Soldier in today’s U.S. Army. You must be a responsible soldier if you want to make it through deployment alive. Or even worse, if you fail to be responsible you could…

    • 482 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Prince and Accountability

    • 944 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Accountability is important for all soldiers because they are responsible for all items issued to them weather it be a weapon, NVG's, clothes, a vehicle, or another personal. Accountability of another personal is a very sensitive item, probably the most sensitive item for anyone. Accountability is also a way for a key leader to see that he has everyone he is responsible for.…

    • 944 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Accountability is an Army and nationwide thing from the highest officer, to the lowest enlisted soldier. If something bad happens and you’re not able to get into contact with one of your soldiers their life, and also your life can be at stake. Deploying overseas is an even bigger thing. You should always be accounted for while you’re overseas, and have a battle buddy. A lot of soldiers now, here, don’t like the fact or thought of a battle buddy, but we train how we fight, and when we deploy that battle buddy might be the one who save your life.…

    • 1050 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Accountability is very important in the Army. Accountability is taking responsibility for your actions and your items. By meaning what you say, saying what you mean, and doing what you say, when you say you will do it. By keeping track of all my items and equipment I can always be ready for anything that is needed of me by my country, my superiors, or other servicemen. Being accountable means being dependable. Where my country, my superiors and fellow servicemen can count on me in any situation. to know I will be there to do what is necessary. Taking responsibility for your own actions and equipment is what keeps things running smoothly. And keeps things from turning into utter chaos. Being in formation on time everyday is an prime example of accountability. Formation is where the Army takes accountability of everyone and to get important information out that needs to be dealt with. Without accountability there is no knowing of where everyone is or whats going on. Knowing where your equipment and personal effects are at all times is very important also. By not putting a lock on my wall locker, I was not talking responsibility for my own items, and not doing what I was told to do by my superiors. I was not being responsible. Keeping my items locked and secured is very important now and in the future. As with keeping all sensitive items secured and accounted for later on. Keeping my wall locker locked, keeps accountability of all my items and teaches me to always maintain my equipment, my arms, and myself. Many things could have happened by me failing to adhere to my responsibilities. My wall locker could have been vandalized, or items of mine could have been stolen. And if it was sensitive information that was seen or taken, I could have jeopardized people lives or the outcome of our country. If my items were taken, Then I would not have the proper items and materials to be properly trained to the standards of a…

    • 1004 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    While being a leader in general does not always mean you maintain good accountability, someone who does not maintain good accountability has no place in a position of leadership. Accountability Failure’s Every Soldier will undoubtedly come across a Leader who does not understand how to maintain accountability and refrain from micromanaging, throughout their career. Learning lessons from failure, especially regarding leadership concepts, is as valuable, if not more, than lessons learned from success. There is a balance to these concepts, like anything in life.…

    • 821 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Accountability in Army

    • 900 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Throughout a Soldier’s training and career the Soldier’s Creed is the core value set that soldiers’ are expected to learn and live by. These are the values that a soldier is held accountable to. A soldier can thrive and fail in these values, but one thing is for sure, they will be held accountable. Most of these values are easy to understand and all make logical sense that a soldier should possess these values. The one value that many soldier’s struggle with is the accountability in “I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.” When a soldier fails to maintain these values they are held accountable. Which leads to a few questions: What is accountability? How does accountability pertain to the United States Army? What does all this mean to the value stated in the Soldier’s Creed, “I always maintain my arms, my equipment, and myself.” How does all this apply to an individual soldier? And a personal note, on how accountability plays a role in my career as a United States Soldier.…

    • 900 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The Importance of Accountability Is so you know where everyone is so if you need a person for something you will know where to find them. It is also necessary to have accountability to make sure everyone in your unit is safe and so you make sure they are where they are supposed to be. You also want your unit to be on standby so they are ready for anything that may happen. It is also needed so nobody goes UA.…

    • 1527 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Accountability is everything within the Marine Corps and within the working world. Unit cohesion could not exist without accountability. Good communication could not happen without good accountability. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines accountability as: “the quality or state of being accountable; especially: an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions”…

    • 774 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Accountability in the army is important because soldiers as well as equipment, ammunition, food, water and other various supplies are vital to the operation and proper function of the army as a whole. To start with, soldiers must be accounted for because they are the responsibility of their team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, and so on. If you don't have accountability of soldiers then when you attempt to conduct a mission you may not have all the soldiers you should have and that could cost you not only failing your mission but your life and the lives of the soldiers with you. Having accountability of each and every soldier at all times lets the leadership know how many soldiers they can spare for various details and still continue with the mission at hand. Another thing that is very important to keep accountability on is equipment. If your soldiers don't have the equipment they need or the equipment they were issued then it could cause a major problem in the mission possibly causing you to fail the mission and lose lives of your soldiers for not having proper equipment. Not only is accountability of equipment highly important but making sure all the equipment works how it is designed and intended to be used. Accountability of ammunition is important as well, if you are on a mission and not all of your soldiers have ammunition then it could cost the mission and lives. Keeping accountability of your soldiers, your soldiers equipment status, and ammunition status are very important to completing a mission successfully without any problems. Also keeping track of soldiers equipment as well as ammunition can help save the army funds to put to better use to help soldiers with retirement, their benefits, various programs and classes. Another thing in the army to keep accountability on is food, it is the most important thing to accomplishing a mission successfully. If a soldier hasn't been able to eat for days because leaderships lack of accountability of food it…

    • 482 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Accountability is defined by department of defense as the obligation imposed by a law or lawful order or regulation on an officer or other person for keeping an accurate record of government property, documents or funds. The numerical end product of personnel accountability process reflects the combat power of a unit.…

    • 1046 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Essay for Being Late.

    • 1805 Words
    • 8 Pages

    The main reason for this essay is because I did not follow out proper orders and was not at the correct place of duty for PT/Accountability formation at the correct time. Although there was a miscommunication, granted on my half, there is still no excuse for me to miss a formation. I want to be an excellent soldier and I want to excel in the military. The first step I need to put into action is always making sure I am at the appropriate place of duty at the correct time or preferably with time to spare. This is a simple task that is easy and painless to ensure, and it will be accomplished.…

    • 1805 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays