The current version of Army Regulation 600-20 Army Command Policy was signed into affect by General George W. Casey as the United States Army Chief of Staff in April 2008. It underwent a Rapid Action Revision in November 2009. Its first chapter fifth section entitled Command is an extremely potent definition of the privilege of command, elements of command, and characteristics of command leadership. The verbage in this section especially as in concerns the interplay of authority and responsibility is very good. Thorough study and internalization of this section greatly benefits any effort to apply U.S. Army Leadership Doctrine.

- Elements of Command- The key elements of command are:

1. Authority

2. Responsibility

- Characteristics of Command Leadership- The commander is responsible for establishing leadership climate of the unit and developing disciplined and cohesive units. This sets the parameters within which command will be exercised and, therefore, sets the tone for social and duty relationships within the command. Commanders are also responsible for the professional development of their Soldiers. To this end, they encourage self-study, professional development, and continued growth of their subordinates’ military careers.

(1) Commanders and other leaders committed to the professional Army ethic promote a positive environment. If leaders show loyalty to their Soldiers, the Army, and the nation, they earn the loyalty of their Soldiers. If leaders consider their Soldiers’ needs and care for their Well-being, and if they demonstrate genuine concern, these leaders build a positive command climate.

(2) Duty is obedient and disciplined performance. Soldiers with a sense of duty accomplish tasks given them, seize opportunities for self-improvement, and accept responsibility from their superiors. Soldiers, leader and led alike, work together to accomplish the mission rather than feed their self-interest.

(3) Integrity is a way of life. Demonstrated integrity is the basis for dependable, consistent information, decisionmaking, and delegation of authority.
(4) Professionally competent leaders will develop respect for their authority by—

(a) Striving to develop, maintain, and use the full range of human potential in their organization. This potential is a critical factor in ensuring that the organization is capable of accomplishing its mission.
(b) Giving troops constructive information on the need for and purpose of military discipline. Articles in the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) that require explanation will be presented in such a way to ensure that Soldiers are fully aware of the controls and obligations imposed on them by virtue of their military service (see Art 137, UCMJ).
(c) Properly training their Soldiers and ensuring that both Soldiers and equipment are in the proper state of readiness at all times. Commanders should assess the command climate periodically to analyze the human dimension of combat readiness. Soldiers must be committed to accomplishing the mission through the unit cohesion developed as a result of a healthy leadership climate established by the command. Leaders at all levels promote the individual readiness of their
Soldiers by developing competence and confidence in their subordinates. In addition to being mentally, physically, tactically, and technically competent, Soldiers must have confidence in themselves, their equipment, their peers, and their leaders. A leadership climate in which all Soldiers are treated with fairness, justice, and equity will be crucial to development of this confidence within Soldiers. Commanders are responsible for developing disciplined and cohesive
units sustained at the highest readiness level possible.

Reflection on an Ethic of Officership is an essay by Richard Swain published in Parameters in the spring of 2007. It addresses the code of ethics required by law of officers in the U.S. Military.  The Oath of Office, US Code Title 10-Requirement of Exemplary Conduct, and Title 10, Section 3583-Virtues of the Commission are the sources of these requirements. Enlisted Soldiers have a creed as do Non-Commissioned Officers; but, officers officially have none. The substance of these documents provides a code of ethics that should be as familiar to officers in the U.S. Military as should the creeds of the Soldier, and Non-Commissioned Officer.

- Oath of Office- Three Positive Moral Comitments

1. I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic;

2. I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;

3. I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

- US Code Title 10- Requirement of Exemplary Conduct- All commanding officers and others in authority in the Army are required:

1. To show in themselves a good example of virtue, honor, patriotism, and subordination.

2. To be vigilant in inspecting the conduct of all persons who are placed under their command.

3. To guard against and suppress all dissolute and immoral practices, and to correct, according to the laws and regulations of the Army, all persons who are guilty of them.

4. To take all necessary and proper measures, under the laws, regulations, and customs of the Army, to promote and safeguard the morale, physical well-being, and general welfare of officers and enlisted persons under their command or charge.

- Title 10, Section 3583- Virtues of the Commission

1. Subordination- To civil authorities- To superiors- To welfare of soldiers (selfless service).

2. Respect for the rights of others.

3. Obedience to rule of law and treaty.

4. Patriotism.

5. Valor (Courage).

6. Fidelity.

7. Abilities (Competence).

8. Diligence and Vigilance.

9. Virtue (Character).

10. Honor.

I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined. Physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.  I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.

No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army". I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.

Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind -- accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain technically and tactically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.
Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

Code of Conduct

I
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

II
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

III
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

IV
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

V
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

VI
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

Living the Army Values

• Loyalty

Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit and other Soldiers. Bearing true faith and allegiance is a matter of believing in and devoting yourself to something or someone. A loyal Soldier is one who supports the leadership and stands up for fellow Soldiers. By wearing the uniform of the U.S. Army you are expressing your loyalty. And by doing your share, you show your loyalty to your unit.

• Duty

Fulfill your obligations. Doing your duty means more than carrying out your assigned tasks. Duty means being able to accomplish tasks as part of a team. The work of the U.S. Army is a complex combination of missions, tasks and responsibilities — all in constant motion. Our work entails building one assignment onto another. You fulfill your obligations as a part of your unit every time you resist the temptation to take “shortcuts” that might undermine the integrity of the final product.

• Respect

Treat people as they should be treated. In the Soldier’s Code, we pledge to “treat others with dignity and respect while expecting others to do the same.” Respect is what allows us to appreciate the best in other people. Respect is trusting that all people have done their jobs and fulfilled their duty. And self-respect is a vital ingredient with the Army value of respect, which results from knowing you have put forth your best effort. The Army is one team and each of us has something to contribute.

• Selfless Service

Put the welfare of the Nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own. Selfless service is larger than just one person. In serving your country, you are doing your duty loyally without thought of recognition or gain. The basic building block of selfless service is the commitment of each team member to go a little further, endure a little longer, and look a little closer to see how he or she can add to the effort.

• Honor

Live up to Army values. The Nation’s highest military award is The Medal of Honor. This award goes to Soldiers who make honor a matter of daily living — Soldiers who develop the habit of being honorable, and solidify that habit with every value choice they make. Honor is a matter of carrying out, acting, and living the values of respect, duty, loyalty, selfless service, integrity and personal courage in everything you do.

• Integrity

Do what’s right, legally and morally. Integrity is a quality you develop by adhering to moral principles. It requires that you do and say nothing that deceives others. As your integrity grows, so does the trust others place in you. The more choices you make based on integrity, the more this highly prized value will affect your relationships with family and friends, and, finally, the fundamental acceptance of yourself.

• Personal Courage

Face fear, danger or adversity (physical or moral). Personal courage has long been associated with our Army. With physical courage, it is a matter of enduring physical duress and at times risking personal safety. Facing moral fear or adversity may be a long, slow process of continuing forward on the right path, especially if taking those actions is not popular with others. You can build your personal courage by daily standing up for and acting upon the things that you know are honorable.