This is a line from the NCO creed. 670-1 is out now and it is supposed to define how we are supposed to look professional. I keep reading all these discussions on here and the word "professional" keeps getting thrown around. The problem is that I talk to a lot of soldiers and they all have different definitions and opinions on what "professional" means. The definition of professional is:
1. Relating to or belonging to a profession
2. Engaged in a specified activity as one’s main paid occupation rather than as an amateur
However, it seems as if people are throwing the word out every time they believe that a soldier is not acting correctly. This is not being unprofessional, this is called misbehaving. This usually means that they are doing something that is not in accordance with the regulations or laws.
Unfortunately, some soldiers are quick to throw out the "that's unprofessional" phrase out of context. Usually when I hear it, it is just them stating an opinion and can't be traced back to any regulation or law. Shouldn't we be professional enough not to use the word unprofessional without knowing what the definition of professional is?