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The Enduring Strength of Army Values in an Era of Change

By Command Sgt. Maj. Shawn F. Carns

Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

March 3, 2024

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A pair of Soldiers advance through a field of long prairie grass, their rifles raised before them, the long, dark barrels contrasting with the light golden stalks of vegetation. Distant trees rise before a muted gray sky, their forms uncertain because their distance from the photographer has rendered them out of focus. Overlaid on the photograph is a column of words in a white font, printed in all caps. The seven lines read: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage. Two of the lines contain two-word phrases: first, Selfless Service and last, Personal Courage. All the other lines contain one word.

The Army has a rich history of evolving with new challenges and technologies, from past battlefields to today’s intricate global environment. As we look toward 2030 and beyond, the pace of change is accelerating, making our Army Values even more vital as our anchor and guide. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Paul Won) (Graphic by NCO Journal)

The Army has a rich history of evolving with new challenges and technologies, from past battlefields to today’s intricate global environment. As we look toward 2030 and beyond, the pace of change is only increasing. In this rapidly shifting context, our Army Values — Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage — become even more vital as both our anchor and guide.

Why Do Values Matter in Times of Change?

A Constant in a Sea of Uncertainty

Change can be unsettling. Values offer a stable foundation, reminding us of our identity and principles, regardless of the situation (Department of the Army [DA], 2019). I vividly remember my time in basic training, where I used the LDRSHIP acronym to learn the Army Values — the guiding principles I still follow every day.

Guide Ethical Decision-Making

As technological advancements blur moral lines, our values function as a steadfast moral compass. Why? Because we’re held by the people for the people to the highest standard of ethical conduct as a profession (Department of Defense, 2024).

Build Trust and Cohesion

Shared values cultivate unity and purpose — critical for effective teamwork, especially within a diverse and evolving force (DA, 2020). The Army values build a formidable team of trust and cohesion (LDRSHIP):

  • Loyalty among comrades
  • Duty to perform daily tasks
  • Mutual Respect
  • Selfless service to oneself and the team
  • Honor to the Army and teammates
  • Integrity in truth-telling
  • Personal courage in volatile environments

Strengthen Resilience

Adhering to our values helps us navigate challenges with integrity, emerging stronger despite adversity (DA, 2019).

The Army Values in 2030 and Beyond

Some may argue that traditional values will become irrelevant in a future characterized by artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons, and changing social norms. However, this is not the case. Army Values are timeless principles, essential for maintaining humanity and professionalism in any era.

They aren’t simply a set of rules but a way of life that should guide the conduct of all Army professionals, both Soldiers and Army civilian professionals (ACPs) (Center for the Army Profession and Ethic, 2014).

A grimacing Soldier crawls through muddy water, the top of his bare head soiled, and the brown liquid covering his forearms and rising to his chest.

A trainee assigned to 198th Infantry Brigade low crawls through the Sand Hill Obstacle Course at Fort Moore, Georgia, March 4, 2024. Soldiers internalize the Army Values in basic training, carrying them as guiding principles throughout their careers. These values offer a stable, solid foundation. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Stephanie Snyder)

Loyalty

In a complex information landscape, loyalty to the Constitution and fellow Soldiers is key to countering disinformation and maintaining trust (DA, 2015).

Duty

Our responsibility to defend the nation now extends into the cyber domain, reflecting our interconnected world.

Respect

As the Army grows more diverse, it remains crucial to build cohesive, effective teams (DA, 2025).

Selfless Service

Amid rapid technological progress, selfless service ensures technology benefits humanity rather than dominating it (DA, 2019).

Honor

Upholding our honor, even against unconventional threats, maintains the moral high ground and earns public trust (Center for the Army Profession and Ethic, 2014).

Integrity

In an environment with easily manipulated information, integrity is essential for preserving credibility and ethical standards (Department of Defense, 2024).

Personal Courage

Facing increasingly complex and unpredictable challenges requires the courage to make tough decisions and do what is right, even when unpopular (DA, 2019).

Take this moment as a chance to recognize and affirm your values and gain deeper insights into yourself. A transitional experience allows you to challenge your assumptions about the world and assess whether they still benefit you.

Leaders must be introspective to determine their values and those of their organization. This clarity and confidence in purpose enables them to guide their people in finding common ground and navigating transitional periods together.

Conclusion

Army Values are not just words. They form a foundation for the profession of arms for 2030 and beyond. As we head forward, reaffirming our commitment to these values and integrating them into every facet of training, leadership, and decision-making is crucial. This approach will ensure the Army remains a force for good in a constantly changing world.

A thorough review of the Army Values is beneficial and imperative as we approach 2030. This review should include open and honest dialogues about applying these values in the context of modern technologies, evolving social norms, and changing warfare dynamics. By steadfastly adhering to our values as guiding principles, we can confidently navigate challenges and maintain the Army as a symbol of strength, integrity, and selfless service for future generations.

As a leader, you must offer people the necessary support to help them gain self-assurance and optimism about what lies ahead.

References

Center for the Army Profession and Ethic. (2014). The Army Ethic White Paper. https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/356486.pdf

Department of the Army. (2015). Soldier’s Guide. (TC 7-21.13). https://home.army.mil/riley/4215/8283/3346/TC_7-21.13_SOLDIERS_GUIDE.pdf

Department of the Army. (2019). Army leadership and the profession (ADP 6-22). https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN42975-ADP_6-22-002-WEB-8.pdf

Department of the Army. (2020). Holistic health and fitness (FM 7-22). https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN30964-FM_7-22-001-WEB-4.pdf

Department of the Army. (2025). Army Command Policy (AR 600-20). https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN43057-AR_600-20-001-WEB-2.pdf

Department of Defense. (2024). Ethics and Standards of Conduct (DoD Directive 5500.07). https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodd/550007p2.pdf

 

Command Sgt. Maj. Shawn F. Carns serves as command sergeant major of the Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He has held every key leadership position in the infantry, from team leader to command sergeant major as well as Ranger instructor. He served as command sergeant major of I Corps, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, command senior enlisted leader of the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, and Command Sergeant Major Development Program (CSMDP) Lead at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, among others. Carns earned a bachelor’s degree in business leadership (management) from Trident University.

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