Argumentative Essay: Exploring the Army as a Professional Field

This argumentative essay examines the multifaceted nature of the army as a profession. It delves into the core characteristics required of army professionals, emphasizing discipline, leadership, training, and mentorship as crucial elements for success. The essay explores the definition of a professional soldier, highlighting expertise in violence management as a key differentiator from civilians. It addresses the public perception of the army, the unique skills required, and the ongoing need for continuous professional development. The arguments presented discuss whether the army is a profession and a passion, considering the evolving standards and the demanding situations soldiers face. The essay concludes by acknowledging the army's role in practicing martial art and the importance of mastering occupational specialties, ultimately suggesting that true professionalism requires both. The essay references several academic sources to support its claims and offers a comprehensive analysis of the army as a profession.

Running head: ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY ON THE ARMY AS A PROFESSION
Argumentative Essay on the Army as a Profession
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1ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY ON THE ARMY AS A PROFESSION
The army is a great profession where several individuals come together and make the
impossible, possible. This particular choice of life is bound to make the individuals overcome
much more obstacles than usual career paths taken by individuals. The most important
characteristics which need to be maintained are that of discipline, leadership, training and
mentorship. The army always changes at a speedy rate, and in case the characteristics of army
professionals are not embodied, the profession of arms is bound to fall apart. The army
professionals should always strive for the best, for both the immediate and long term future of
the company.
In the definition of the professional soldier, a person has to understand the context in
which the word “professional is used”. In certain cases, the “professional” term implies a career
or a lifelong occupation. The main characteristics of professionalism are expertise, responsibility
and corporate ability. In this sense it can be said that the professional military officer is
extremely skilled in the violence management. This is the major skill which helps differentiate
an army man from other common civilians (Dubik, 2012).
Most civilians of the Country look up to army officials and dream of becoming like them.
The perception of the people towards the professionals of the army also positively impacts the
organisation as these individuals voluntarily wish to sacrifice everything for the welfare of the
people. Throughout the country the people consider the Army to be the greatest professions as it
is something which people can count on. The children of the society look up to the army men as
they embody great individuals and help in aiming for the future. The perception of the people
goes a long way in determining the way in which they behave with the army people (Schulzke,
2013).

2ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY ON THE ARMY AS A PROFESSION
The first argument which has been stated on the topic “The army is not actually a
profession” is that it is a profession first and foremost as it is unique takes extra amount of skills
to be a professional. The individuals who want to be part of an army have to be tactically
proficient, in addition to knowing their job. The individuals also have to continue in their
professional growth by means of training or civilian education for raising the knowledge in the
outside world. It is the responsibility of every leader and soldier to strive for the total soldier
concept. The concept of discipline has always been associated with the army and this need to be
maintained at all costs (Snider, 2012).
However, many people believe that the army used to be a profession but now the
standards have decreased in certain situations. This has been due to the war but the focus is on
the problems with the profession and what can be performed to change it. In order to remain the
best out of all the professions, detailed training, mentorship and proper leadership are required
(Allen & Braun, 2013).
With the changing times, only being a soldier, or only being capable at physical training
or just being able to qualify with a weapon, are not enough to be a soldier. In case an individual
is not qualified enough in all aspects of education, training and physical strength it will not be
possible to remain a part of the army. It is also required that the soldiers be resilient when it
comes to the mission of the army and they should also have the desired mental strength. Soldiers
of the army are put through extreme situations that are not applicable in case of other professions
and thus these qualities are essential in a soldier (Cohen, 2016).
Another argument states that the army is actually a passion not a profession. Ass being n
the army and serving the countrymen, is not a job for the soldiers but a way of life. True soldiers

3ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY ON THE ARMY AS A PROFESSION
never let down their guard, be it in times of peace or war. The soldiers are always vigilant and
caring towards the needs of the army. Those persons who work for the army usually always
remain a part of them even after their retirement (Durkheim, 2013).
The military services are seen as an organisation which gives several services in a certain
area of life, like other professionals. However, being the part of an army is not like simple other
professions, as there are not fixed professions and fixed educational qualifications. In case any
civilian is good as his or her job, and the job requirement closely aligns with his or her
occupational speciality, then that person can be considered a part of the army profession. This is
not possible always (Box, 2012).
This is due to the reason that the army is actually a profession of arms. This actually
means that the army people have the additional duty to be experts in the martial art of combat
and this includes all the weapons systems against any enemy on any type of terrain. The
professional stands in the middle of both the extremes (Wong & Gerras, 2015).
In conclusion it can be said that the army is a profession of arms in the sense that the
army men exist in order to practice the martial art. Yet on the other hand it can be said that, they
are not professionals as all of them do not master the occupational speciality. The tools of the art
of the profession are not always demonstrated. Ultimately at the time the military can master
both the realms and be competent enough to move past normal training into the needs of the
profession, the men will not be complete professionals.

4ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY ON THE ARMY AS A PROFESSION
References:
Allen, C. D., & Braun III, W. G. (2013). Trust: Implications for the Army profession. ARMY
WAR COLLEGE CARLISLE BARRACKS PA.
Box, J. E. (2012). Toxic leadership in the military profession. ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE
BARRACKS PA.
Cohen, S. (2016). Democracies at war against terrorism: a comparative perspective. Springer.
Dubik, L. J. M. (2012). Education, experience and training: Responsibilities to the Army as a
profession. Army Magazine, 62(6), 22-25.
Durkheim, E. (2013). Professional ethics and civic morals. Routledge.
Schulzke, M. (2013). Rethinking military gaming: America's army and its critics. Games and
Culture, 8(2), 59-76.
Snider, D. M. (2012). Once Again, the Challenge to the US Army During a Defense Reduction:
To Remain a Military Profession. ARMY WAR COLL STRATEGIC STUDIES INST
CARLISLE BARRACKS PA.
Wong, L., & Gerras, S. J. (2015). Lying to ourselves: dishonesty in the Army profession. ARMY
WAR COLLEGE CARLISLE BARRACKS PA STRATEGIC STUDIES INSTITUTE.