What is the purpose of the "no profanity" policy in WLC?

Between 1996 and 2003 I worked at the Pentagon. During that period I once heard profanity. It was not commented upon, but it did not occur again. It does not aid the work effort and is not professional. Perhaps the NCOES schools are trying to make a point about professionalism.

Perhaps it is because profanity reflects a lack of vocabulary, demeaning the image of the user. It can offend many people in our society. It doesn't carry any more meaning and makes you sound like a jerk. And who wants to follow a jerk? It isn't an easy habit to break, but once you have done so you really are much better for it. Those you lead will actually respect you more and follow you. Isn't that the purpose of the school?

Having been in the Infantry as an Airborne, Ranger I appreciate the question. To answer the question let me digress. The better we can express ourselves the clearer our message will be to those we are trying to communicate. People will actually understand us faster if we eliminate the F-bomb every third word in a sentence. The F-bomb not only hinders the communication, but it is also a sign of a lack of vocabulary to express ourselves. The average person uses about 3-5000 word vocabulary. Someone like William F Buckle,Jr. had a conversational use of about 10,000 words. Every one understood what he said, politicians, reporters and the average american. By dropping the four letter words we will not hurt or hinder us rather help us. It took me quite a while to drop my Salt & Pepper language when I left the military and it was just a "bad" habit. RLTW! it is not RLTFW:))

A "look" can say so much more than words. Learn how to cuss with your eyes and you'll motivate rocks to move out with alacrity...

Indecent Language is clearly under Article 134, what is the point of using such profane language anyway when none of it makes sense anyway and most people don't even know what half of it means or even where it originated from.

Would you want your kids to talk that way to you? If you do it then they will do it!! There is always a better way or better word to use to say what you have to say and still get your point across as effectively as if you used profanity.

It isn't culture, it's ignorance!! Just so you know, I was Infantry too!!

you are a professional. thats the purpose. to intill professionalism in young NCO's, because very few have it.

240 years of culture y you say? Consider this:
Washington's Order Against Profanity

The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing, a vice hitherto little known in our American Army is growing into fashion. He hopes that the officers will, by example as well as influence, endeavor to check it and that both they and the men will reflect that we can little hope of the blessing of Heaven on our army if we insult it by our impiety and folly. Added to this it is a vice so mean and low without any temptation that every man of sense and character detests and despises it.

(Signed,) George Washington

I can't agree with the statement of ..."240 years of culture" without asking the question "whose culture?" I enlisted in the Army on August 22, 1966, long before Gunnery Sergeant Hartman ever scorched movie screens across the nation. Called into the HQ office to update a record, I noted a board displayed above the Captain's door. Engraved on it were the words, "Profanity is the mark of an ignorant man." Unexpected, puzzling even; given where I was at the time. I've had an incredibly unique military experience in that I wore Enlisted rank, then Warrant Officer, and finally walked out the back door after 30 years as a full Colonel never, in all that time, ever forgetting those words.

Anyone choosing to take on a Leadership role in any capacity needs to have a clear understanding of exactly what the word "Leader" stands for. A Leader lives by standards set to demonstrate the finest aspects of the military, not the lowest. There is no place in any aspect of today's military (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard) to substitute proper language for gutter filth profanity. As a matter of fact, Army Regulation is crystal clear on this issue, and anyone using such as a matter of course may find themselves on the wrong end of a harassment claim, subject to UCMJ oversight.

Commentary herein quotes Lt. General George S. Patton's motivational speeches during 1943~44 as a reference to justify use of gratuitous profanity. Note the following: "On each occasion, he would wear his polished helmet, full dress uniform, and gleaming riding boots, and carry a riding crop to snap for effect. Patton frequently kept his face in a scowl he referred to as his "war face." He would arrive in a Mercedes and deliver his remarks on a raised platform surrounded by a very large audience seated around the platform and on surrounding hills. Each address was delivered to a division-sized force of 15,000 or more men."

NOT to women, children, families, office environments, or anyone alive today in 2015! There was a WORLD WAR going on at the time, and the need for such is clearly understood. I have no problem with what's said out in the field...I support that. Just have a clear understanding of the difference between the "field" and "garrison" and conduct yourself accordingly whether you're in a leadership position or not.

Do you think being vulgar is a good way to get your point across? 240 years of culture, really? where are you getting this information from? Any person that wears Corporal stripes or above are "Non-Commissioned Officers" and that person is responsible for "Setting the example" How many of your subordinates really respect you for talking like a "Low Life"!

From the papers of General George Washington:
The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing, a vice hitherto little known in our American Army is growing into fashion. He hopes that the officers will, by example as well as influence, endeavor to check it and that both they and the men will reflect that we can little hope of the blessing of Heaven on our army if we insult it by our impiety and folly. Added to this it is a vice so mean and low without any temptation that every man of sense and character detests and despises it.

(Signed,) George Washington

Just because those before us couldn't express themselves without profanity, does not mean we have to lower ourselves to that standard.

MSG(R) Clifford

Drinking was and could still certainly be argued that drinking is a huge part of Military culture. It has attributed to many deaths, injuries, broken families and dreams, and has killed many a career. I doubt you would advocate that alcohol be glorified and supported by today's professional Soldier. Just like the glorification of alcohol, cussing is neither professional not conducive to a professional work environment. We're not talking about when bullets are flying...but when in a garrison or work environment, (whether that is at a range, an office or the bay of the motor pool) cussing has no place in the profession of Arms or oft used tool in a leaders toolbox.

It's a matter of professionalism and maturity. You will get there

Curtailing the use of profanity in WLC or any NCOES course for that matter is not about suppressing a culture or tradition. It is entirely about focusing on the course work to make your self a better NCO and leader. Its about professionalism and using tact to express your concerns, points of view, instructions and motivating others. No one expects all soldiers to just stop swearing because they set foot into an NCO Academy, that's just not going to happen. When you, however, as an NCO are conducting training you need the soldiers you are training to be focused on the training material and the lessons. Use of profanity can often be a distraction to the troops. I know this from personal experience, having been the NCO conducting training and reading AAR's later on and being advised by my superiors that my use of profanity was not only offensive to some of the soldiers but was also a distraction. That happened only one time. If you cant effectively train and get the information to your soldiers then your not effective as an NCO. I was once told that swearing does not impress people, it merely shows how illiterate you are.

It has been said clearly by many in several different ways about professionalism to your post, this includes the regulation govern this action.

Remember, we are an example to what the World sees and our actions however small and minuet changes the worlds view, simply, we're Ambassadors like it or not.

When a Soldier makes a mistake, it doesn't single them out but brands the Military or specifically the branch that owns them within their ranks. People formulate opinions based on our actions and the results taken especially when it violates their opinion to what should've been done. Not to stray too far off, we tend to want more severe punishment for others but mercy when we're in the line of fire.

There's many regulations, MILPER messages and policies that are not adhered too but over the years have been updated and brought to light to change a pattern of behavior that has caused much incidents and concerns within the unit, battalion, etc., the military branch or DoD.

The truth, professionalism is a must, would working at a Top 500 organization be acceptable with this behavior? Would it create workplace hardship? Professionalism to how we speak and carry ourselves is critical for effective communication that leads into diversity. Diversity has many avenues [layers] that goes beyond race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomics, etc. The point... The Military has a "Zero Tolerance" for EO situations among other areas such as SHARP, Drugs, etc.

My advise to those wanting a deeper understanding, not just the, "Regulation say so" but to be able to advise those who needs a better understanding, research diversity and workplace hostilities. Look at languages in the workplace. None of us wants to be belittled so we shouldn't do it ourselves, therefore we need to learn better ways to communicate effectively to bridge together our differences and become a better T.E.A.M.-S. (Together Each Achieve More - Successfully). As NCOs we need to keep it N.C.O. (Neat Clean and Orderly).

This was suppose to be my two cents but I seemed to have drop a few more coins.

To close, In 2006, when I was an instructor at WLC, an incident occurred when some Soldiers were playing and asking questions about a scene in Living Color to which a Soldier who was an MP stated the correct answer using the N-word. This sparked several issues the following day later when the instructor present said everyone laughed.

The point, the regulation clearly states the use of certain words that resulted in the Soldier [MP] not being able to work traffic and endure other issues with his unit.

Certain professions must watch these strict guidelines as there job depends upon professionalism, such as law enforcement, medical, dental, etc.

This is not the complete reason for not cursing but it should help clarify some possible reasons, besides, if my children curse, well, I don't need a regulation to take action.

Look at it this way the use of profanity is often thought to show a lack of command of the English language. If you want to get your point across speak to people with respect. Many people such as myself feel the use of profanity is not necessary and unprofessional

So, the line in the NCO Creed... "No one is more professional than I..." I realize the Creed is younger than me, but does it suppress NCOs--or does professionalism not include refraining from uncontrolled profanity?

You can be professional and not curse. Yeah, I've dropped my fair share of F bombs and other 4 letter words, which were usually directed at a Soldier who had stepped on his johnson. But the most effective butt chewing I recieved in my 20+ years involved no loud voice, almost zero eye contact and not a single cuss word. When I left MSG Duvalls office, I walked under the door. So you can get your point across extremely effectively and not use a loud or profane voice.

It has always been about professionalism, and I'll date myself my saying I went through PNCOC in 1981, BNCOC in 1984, and ANCOC in 1987. It was like that back then, but that didn't mean you wouldn't be taken to the woodline for a little one-on-one, that might include some profanity.
One of my Brigade Commanders explained that he used language appropriate to the situation. This was based on his experiences in Viet Nam and people getting wounded and killed because he flet he didn't get the point across when he didn't curse. Great leader, no matter what.

Huh? I went in 2011, and I don't remember hearing that one. Maybe its new. Perhaps its about learning "professionalism". I do know that in combat arms, the Infantry specifically, you don't greet people in the morning without dropping F-bombs regardless of the rank of those doing the greeting. Even in the Reserves there is cussing, but not in WLC now...okay.

I can see why they are doing it. I always here the term the Army is a Profession and we are Professionals, so with my thinking is if we are going to walk around as professionals then we better start talking like professionals, I have asked Senior NCOs and Officers alike to please watch their mouths in my work are. I am not saying that i dont cuss or things like that but the work place isnt the best place to drop the F-Bomb 20 times in a conversation.