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ISSUING AN Army Values card to every soldier is easy but leaders must ensure complianceconsistent demonstration of Army Values by all soldiers. US Army Field Manual (FM) 22-100, Army Leadership, clearly states that when it comes to values, internalization rather than demonstration is the goal.1 Rote memorization of definition is not enough. There must be a deeper understanding of the spirit behind the rules. He in lies the Army Valses challenge-how should the Army train and measure values internalization?
The historical basis for Army Values stems largely rom moral questions raised,by the Vietnam War and subsequent incidents that indicate a need for clearly stated values actively incorporated into training.2 Current thinking reflects this understanding. Retired US Army Chief of Staff General Dennis J. Reimer writes, "Army values build strong cohesive organizations that in turn become the source of strength and solidarity for their members in difficult and turbulent times."3 FM 22-100 states, "Army values form the very identity of America's Army, the solid rock upon which everything else stands."4
Ultimately, the Army established the seven Army Values outlined in FM 22-100 and printed on the Army Values card. They are well founded, having appropriate and reassuring similarities to universally accepted moral imperatives. Summarizing the work of philosopher Bernard Gert, author Rushworth M. Kidder ientifies 10 universal imperatives: do not kill; do not cause pain; do not disable; do not deprive of freedom or opportunity; do not deprive of pleasure; do not deceive; keep your promises; do not cheat; obey the law; and do your duty.5 Kidder also identifies a smaller set of basic commands that have countless applications in business and politics and that hold true in all great world religions: do not kill; do not lie; do not steal; do not practice immorality; respect parents; an4 love children.6
The Challenge
There is no way to know soldiers' values when they enter the military. FM 22-100 explains, "your job as a leader would be a great deal easier if you could check the values of a new Department of the Army civilian or a soldier the way medics check teeth or ran blood tests. You could figure out what values were missing... and administer the right combination, maybe with an injection or magic pill." And,...