"L" is for Loyalty

The Army’s "building blocks" are its units – the companies, battalions, brigades, groups, divisions, and corps – that are stationed here and abroad. Each unit in the Army today has its own unique history, customs, and traditions.

Also a keen sense of pride and esprit, that both motivates its members and brings them together as one – TEAMWORK – which in the military leads to unit cohesion. As old soldiers are quick to remind us, "The history of war shows that cohesive units are tougher and survive better in combat."

In addition to spirit and morale, really good units are commonly known to reflect a strong sense of LOYALTY as well. A recent Chief of Staff of the Army, GENERAL JOHN A. WICKHAM, JR., has said that: "Trust is the cornerstone of loyalty. If our subordinates, comrades, and superiors trust us, loyalty follows easily."

Loyalty, yes. But loyalty to what, or to whom?

The Army defines Loyalty as (Quote): "The correct ordering of our obligations and commitments: the Constitution, Army, unit, family/friends, self."

Here’s something else to think about. A well-known British historian, LIDDELL HART, once wrote that: "Loyalty is a noble quality, so long as it is not blind and does not exclude the higher loyalty to truth and decency."

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON LOYALTY AS ONE OF THE ARMY’S SEVEN CORE VALUES?