Honor, Courage and Commitment

Decisioning and the United States Navy

HONOR

The United States Navy follows three major words as core values to develop positive relationships with people, countries, and governments.

Honor, Courage and Commitment are the words sworn to. They are the seeds considered necessary to be successful toward a vital decision process in the management of human lives.

The word Honor is an absolute decision in itself. It is the decision with action to value others and ourselves with devotion. The United States Navy’s definition of Honor is, “I will bear true faith and allegiance.” Accordingly, we will: Conduct ourselves in the highest ethical manner in all relationships with peers, superiors and subordinates; Be honest and truthful in our dealings with each other, and with those outside the Navy.

The United States Navy has followed this ethical code of Honor by providing life changing and saving duties around the world.

COURAGE

With honor we build comradeship and with comradeship we build Courage. Courage is a “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” The United States Navy’s definition of Courage is, “I will support and defend." Accordingly, we will have: courage to meet the demands of our profession and the mission when it is hazardous, demanding, or otherwise difficult.”

The spirit of courage is strength and effort in teamwork. A senior’s ethical courage to make the right decision is only as courageous as those whom he or she employs to courageously follow that decision. Maneuverability and resourcefulness of courage, educates an enhanced understanding of different tasks that must be encountered. Understanding that other people, who are a part of your team, provide as much hard work to making decisions provides the courage to trust.

Trust allows a team to plan and look ahead and nurtures a relationship of trust among people affected by their actions, e.g. civilians and other governments.

COMMITMENT

The United States Navy’s definition of Commitment is "I will obey the orders." Further, we will: Demand respect up and down the chain of command; Care for the safety, professional, personal and spiritual well-being of our people." Commitment is the principle structure of moral value and fervent virtue. Commitment is a duty to declaration, others, and ourselves. It defines Honor and Courage.

We commit to Honor and Courage with responsibility to any task or plan regardless of the consequence. We understand that all decisions we make are commitments to saving or improving someone’s life.

Honor, Courage, and Commitment are not just core values, but a code of ethics the US Navy performs daily. These are the words of personal and political survival. The U.S. Navy's behaviors, through actions and conduct, are direct representations of themselves and the institution. And, they measure the performance that allows people to trust the organization and maintain the positive, long-term relationships it has endured since its inception.

References:
Cutler, T. (1999, March). The bluejacket’s manual: Blue Jacket Manual (22nd ed.). Naval Institute Press. United State Navy. (n.d.). The United States Navy, Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Core Values.

Available from:
http://www.navy.com/about/during/personaldevelopment/

For full article, author and credits:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Honor--Courage--and-Commitment-The-United-States-Navy

ZDT Author’s Note:
It would be hard to find a more inspiring or enduring set of values that act as the basis for leadership and decisioning.

Proud of our military.