Essay: What is more important for you, mission or soldier welfare?

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What Is More Important To You, Mission or Soldier Welfare

Thomas Cash Caldwell

92Y Advance Leadership Course 21-011

SGL: SFC Incletorres

March 3rd, 2021

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Seemingly, the question of mission versus soldier welfare has erupted in different

ideologies over the years. Soldiers have to provide security both internally and externally. They

embark on missions aimed at securing the state’s territories from threats. They put their lives at

risk in a bid to protect commoners. The military profession's sensitivity calls for total physical,

psychological, and mental wellbeing. To conquer any security mission, soldiers must be

physically fit and mentally prepared to execute their duties effectively, this is to say that a mission's

success is entirely dependent not only on good leadership and modernized warfare equipment but

also on guaranteed soldier welfare. Essentially, the mission is dependent on soldier welfare,

making the two elements inseparable. This paper seeks to present facts and ideas to support the

idea that both mission and soldier welfare are equally important.

In a report, ADP 6-22 (2019) clarifies that soldiers have the oath to prioritize the states'

interests over their interests. The information establishes that in situations where the state's

security is at risk, army leaders prioritize accomplishing the mission first. The report does not

disregard the soldiers' welfare but instead puts the mission a notch higher than welfare. Indeed, it

is challenging to balance the two elements in high-risk situations. On such occasions, the military

constitution dictates that mission accomplishment should come first.

Soldiers are bound to use their expertise, secure the interest of the people, and the state as

a whole through oaths of service. Arguably, security missions are demanding and risky - by all

means. Nevertheless, soldiers are obligated to sacrifice, persevere, and win battles on behalf of

the state. Soldiers risk their lives for the nation and citizens. Where massive lives are concerned,

an absolute sacrifice must prevail under ADP 6-22 (2019). The state trusts the military to maintain

security within and outside its borders. The US Army provides maximum protection by giving

prompt and sustainable dominance in warfare missions and conflict spectrums.

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Consequently, military doctrines dictate that mission must always come first over soldiers'

welfare. According to the Army doctrines, the people's interests are more significant than

individual interests. The execution of national objectives precedes personal interests despite war's

dangerous nature.

Essentially, the soldiers' welfare cannot overrule accomplishing the mission in the military

spectrum. The mission's achievement is an absolute priority as it determines the safety of citizens’

lives. As Benjamin Franklin stated, “War will always be a bad deal for soldiers.” This is to say

that the ultimate price of soldiers’ sacrifices in missions is paid through winning. Failure to

accomplish the objectives of the mission renders their sacrifices valueless. Undoubtedly, the

accomplishment of the mission deserves an equal footing with the overall welfare of soldiers.

Among the army's philosophical doctrines, soldiers uphold to put the welfare of others before their

own (ADP 6-22, 2019). The doctrine insinuates that mission accomplishment comes before the

welfare of soldiers. Soldiers train to stay loyal to the state hence the reason they are willing to risk

their lives for the sake of their state. The duty to execute their obligations surpasses their own will.

While some argue that mission accomplishment is vital, it is also rightful to state that the

welfare of soldiers matters too. The welfare of soldiers is equally essential in their pursuit of

success in battlefield and land dominance. The nature of the responsibilities delegated to the

soldiers necessitates optimum physical fitness. The government, which is responsible for

overseeing the soldiers' welfare, must ensure that our soldiers' health is not compromised. Military

leaders should extend service leadership to all soldiers to identify and fulfill their welfare needs.

Over the years, the military has realized the need to fulfill economic and social welfare for

the army by establishing welfare programs. They are sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, and aunts

of people in society. They play a significant role in securing the interests of the states while risking

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their own lives. It is only fair to accord them appreciation through expanding economic and social

benefits to promote their welfare in light of this. Since the establishment of these programs, the

satisfaction of soldiers has increased by greater margins. Like any other profession, soldiers need

to be motivated to fulfill their obligations.

In a research study, Gain et al. (2020) establish that soldiers' social and economic interests

are significant in their duty of accomplishing military operations. The study further emphasizes

that a mission's success is not all about having effective warfare equipment; it encompasses a well-

motivated team to execute security obligations. After a series of liberations by welfare groups, the

army amended its leadership pamphlet TC-6 to incorporate the importance of soldier welfare (Gain

et al., 2020). The amendment acknowledged that in as much as leaders’ priorities the importance

of mission accomplishment, they should also prioritize the welfare of soldiers. Meeting the

economic, social, and economic welfare of soldiers empowers them to delegate their primary duty

of mission accomplishment more effectively.

At all times, the goal is to provide the utmost impact with minimal deaths. In this case,

leaders must make the right call to ensure that the goal is met. The task is undoubtedly challenging

in most situations, but decisions have to be made. Soldiers must be well taken care of socially and

economically to guarantee maximum mission accomplishment. As they risk their lives for the

sake of the state, they should be accorded the necessary welfare needs. Success on the battlefield

does not come by without securing our soldiers' needs.

In conflicting scenarios where the need to accomplish the mission jeopardizes soldiers'

welfare, leaders must to make the right decisions. To do so, leaders need to act fast in weighing

the consequences of actions to be taken. If the situation compromises the majority of civilian lives

in adjacent units, in this case, mission accomplishment comes first. Non-extreme situations

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constitute a balance of both elements. Leaders are obliged to see to it that missions are

accomplished. Similarly, soldiers look unto them to ensure that their welfare is well taken care of.

Given the nature of soldiers' duties, their welfare issues are crucial. The relevant authorities

need to enhance soldiers' welfare to guarantee optimum concentration and willpower in mission

accomplishment. Good quality of life ensures optimum attention and engagement of the

underlying mission goals. Fulfilling soldiers’ welfare has a direct positive impact on mission

accomplishment. By improving soldiers' welfare, the system strengthens their ability to serve in

the state's interests. The welfare programs motivate them to work best in accomplishing mission

objectives. Ideally, it is not practical to separate mission accomplishment and welfare in the

military. Lack of adequate welfare among soldiers breeds physical illnesses, psychological

distress, and financial constraints. A distressed lot cannot certainly accomplish a military mission.

For this reason, it is essential to strike a balance between the two goals in all military operations.

In contemporary times where security is highly compromised mainly for political and

economic reasons, states are increasingly investing in their troops. It has become essential that

meeting soldiers’ welfare needs is as important as mission accomplished. The US Army is a

leading example by formulating reforms that enhance its soldiers' wellbeing. Army Emergency

Relief (AER) is a welfare program established to offer emergency financial loans to soldiers to

help them meet their financial responsibilities (Army Publishing Directorate, 2017). The

American Red Cross (ARC) provides emergency medical assistance to soldiers in the event of

injuries during military operations. All these welfare efforts are geared towards helping our

soldiers be physically and psychologically capable of accomplishing the underlying missions.

In a nutshell, missions need soldiers to be accomplished. Soldiers are devoted to securing

the interest of civilians and the state in its entirety. Nevertheless, they have to be in the right

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physical state, mental state, and economic state to fulfill the obligations in service delivery: the

service delivery obligationsrikThemission accomplishment, and the fulfillment of soldiers' welfare

in the long run. The two elements have direct involvement in people's in the long run lives. As

soldiers should protect the state, the state equally must ensure soldiers' welfare. Consequently, if

each party plays its role effectively, the state is safe internally and externally, and subsequently,

soldiers are well motivated to accomplish the underlying missions.

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References

ADP 6-22 ARMY LEADERSHIP AND THE PROFESSION HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT

OF THE ARMY. (2019). https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN20039-

ADP_6-22-001-WEB-0.pdf

Army Publishing Directorate. (2017). Army.mil. https://armypubs.army.mil/

Gain, D., Army, U., & Bryant, P. (2020). The Men or The Mission: Can An Army of Servants

Become an Army of Servant Leaders? SLTP, 7(1), 89–109.

https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1095&context=sltp