What do you think about this article about Warrior Ethos?

I truly enjoy the discussions on RP and take a lot of what is said and try to use it to motivate and inspire. I wrote the below article for Behind The Badge, which is an AF recruiting publication. Like any unit morale changes depending on what is being pushed, but after the Chattanooga, TN incident a lot of AF recruiters felt helpless about their ability to protect themselves. I truly would like to know what you all think, and want to say thank you for those that helped by answering my thread of what you thought a warrior is.

Enjoy!!

What is a warrior? What does this term mean to you? This has been a discussion at every level of PME I have had the pleasure of attending. Many times this subject would divide the room. I always felt the Air Force was missing the boat when it came to a warrior mentality. In SNCOA, they talk about the “aha” moments where something clicks and just makes sense all of the sudden. Well, this happened to me as we discussed Warrior Ethos over 7 weeks.
I decided to reach out to some of our brothers and sisters in arms of all branches, ranks, and career fields to find out how they define warrior? What surprised me is a lot of soldiers and Marines felt that being a warrior is a frame of mind. Exactly what the Air Force says it is in the Warrior Ethos. According to Merriam Webster, the definition of a warrior is “a man engaged or experienced in warfare; a person engaged in some struggle or conflict.” Ethos is defined as “the distinguishing character, sentiment, moral nature, or guiding beliefs of a person, group, or institution.” So, in layman’s terms, this means a person that is willing to engage in warfare, struggle, or conflict, because they believe in something bigger than themselves. Isn’t this what we do as military members serving in the Profession of Arms? When you sign your name on the dotted line to become a part of the world’s greatest Air Force, you are giving up your ability to control your destiny should you be called to war. How humbling is that?
Given the incidents recently, it is important to remember we are an institution with not only core values, but a warrior mindset as well. You don’t need to be armed to have a warrior mindset. Someone with a warrior mindset will plan and prepare for all possible situations, and react accordingly should something happen. This type of individual also looks out for anyone around them and is willing to sacrifice themselves to protect others, should the time come for it.
I am not trying to change anyone’s thoughts or definitions of what being a warrior means. My hope is that you will read this and take on that mindset for survivability and pride. There is no easy answer to the uncertainty recruiters face today, but I can assure you by subscribing to a “Warrior Ethos,” as defined earlier, you will be better prepared to face anything that comes your way. John Hopper wrote an amazing poem for the first responders that perished on 9/11.
I am a warrior,
I fight not for glory or fame,
For they are momentary.
I fight for those who can’t.
I fight for justice, the oppressed and the down trodden.
And if I should lose my life for these just causes,
Then I have no regrets,
For I served to protect the innocent.
No matter what you believe, I assure you that you epitomized the warrior mindset when you signed the dotted line. My hat is off to you for being out there recruiting and fighting to bring in the best applicants from some of the roughest locations in America. You are exactly who John Hopper was talking about.