Service Values: What are the Underrated and Overrated values?

SPC D W — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 15:16:38 -0500

Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage.

I recently heard of a situation, where 2 soldiers were recognized for speaking up about a potential SHARP incident, going out of their way to say something, when they could have stayed quiet.

It got me to thinking about the Army values (or the values of any service), and about what are the most under or overrated values of any service.

The particular situation make me realize what I believe are the 2 most underrated, underused values today: personal courage and selfless service.

What do I mean by this?

Personal courage: doing what is right, doing what you need to do, even when you don't benefit, even when it costs you. How many SHARP cases happen because someone didn't want to speak up, thought it wasn't their place, thought it would be too intrusive?

Selfless Service: living and serving entirely for others, even at cost to self. How many SHARP cases happened because someone decided to sleep in for the night, instead of being a DD, or helping to watch out for their friends?

What do you think are the most underrated or overrated values, and why? I understand that each should be held equally, but what do you think often gets pushed to the background, even at harm to others? What do you think gets pushed to the forefront, neglecting other equally important values?

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Feb 28 at 2015 3:51 PM

CPT Richard Riley — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 15:51:20 -0500

Many seem to underrate Integrity which I believe is the building block of all the rest. While all are important, maybe Loyalty is the overrated one in the group. If you don't have integrity, the rest will eventually fall by the wayside.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2015 7:57 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 07:57:08 -0500

That's a good question, SPC D W. I've heard it asked with a slightly different angle on military boards. It's kind of hard, in my opinion, to criticize any of the Army values. That said, I think CPT Richard Riley makes an excellent point about integrity being kind of a cornerstone value on which the others build.

For me, respect stands out as central to being a good Soldier and a good leader. Again, though, all of those values are important.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2015 8:01 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 08:01:12 -0500

Most underrated and underused - DUTY
DUTY means doing what is expected, when no one is looking, whether or not you receive recognition or praise.
DUTY means sacrificing the time and energy necessary to accomplish the mission.
DUTY means seeing to it your subordinates and leaders get the time and resources they need in order to accomplish the mission, without unduly sacrificing their time and energy.
Duty means supporting the decisions of those above you, even when you disagree.

We have fallen away from this badly, as the image of self-serving behavior has trumped the ideal of teamwork and pride in unit accomplishment.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Mar 1 at 2015 8:12 AM

SGT Jim Z. — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 08:12:56 -0500

SPC D W first thank you for sharing this question with community. When I read the question in my head I thought they are all equally important. Then I read the question/scenario and realize where you were going with the question and that makes this a good thread in my opinion.

I have to agree with CPT Richard Riley in the most underrated is Integrity and the reason is how many Officers, NCO, and Soldiers do not enforce AR 600-63 Chap 7 but they have no problem enforcing the heck out AR 670-1 because they have no integrity to admit they are not in compliance with 600-63. Without Integrity discipline will fall as well as morale thus hurting the remaining Army values. Own up to the mistake or violation and you will be more respected.

For an overrated value I say duty.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2015 9:19 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 09:19:31 -0500

I agree wiith CPT Richard Riley about integrity being undervalues (especially in light of the recent study by the Army War College on the lack of integrity of our officers).

I have never been a fan of acronyms just for acronyms, and somehow I would have found a way to put character or high character as a foundational value. We could be better served if we pushed ourselves to be better people, who are also soldiers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2015 3:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 15:02:21 -0500

Sorry for maybe steering off path for a moment.... but why does the Army need seven values when the other services sum them all up into three each?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2015 3:07 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 15:07:24 -0500

They are all pertinent, both in the service and out. Certain aspects may be different, but all are defining.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Mar 25 at 2021 6:38 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 18:38:22 -0400

I keep these on my cell phones