Chapter 10: Forging a Professional Military Identity: Leader Education in the U.S. Army Officer Corps

In an era of declining faith in institutions, Americans want organizations to invest in values-based leaders who solve complex problems and inspire a higher common purpose. In this regard, the military services regularly garner the American public’s trust through their expert leadership, professional competence, loyalty, personal sacrifices, and subordination to civilian authorities as consistent with national values in the U.S. Constitution. The public also respects the military’s ability to adapt to diverse circumstances (Newport, 2017; Shane, 2019). Military units have recently engaged in a broad range of operations, including combat, delivery of humanitarian aid to natural disasters areas, providing medical support to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, and supporting civilian law enforcement. To maintain this public trust, military officers serve as the standard-bearers of a professional ethos girded in exemplary leadership.