Webster’s Dictionary defines accountability as “an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions.” I define accountability as a commitment to integrity for yourself and others. From a young age, you are taught to tell the truth, to own up to mistakes that you make, and to have the strength of character to hold others to the same standards. In the Army, accountability is present in everything a Soldier does, from the moment you enlist to the moment your service ends. Raising your right hand and taking the Oath of Enlistment is the first act of accountability. Swearing to support and defend the Constitution and obey the orders of the President and Officers appointed over you is a commitment to a higher cause, …show more content…
The “crawl, walk, run” training mentality that exists in Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training allows drill sergeants and instructors to regulate the level of accountability as Soldiers become more comfortable with the Army’s style of operations, until those leaders are confident in the Soldier’s ability to hold themselves accountable in all aspects of their military life. Once a Soldier arrives at their first duty station, personal accountability increases exponentially. While a Soldier has the benefit of having leaders who will hold them accountable and remind them of their personal accountability, it is ultimately the Soldier’s responsibility. A Soldier is given more equipment to maintain, a barracks room with furniture if single or an allowance for housing and an expectation to maintain that residence if married or a parent, and a daily schedule and mission to adhere …show more content…
Readiness is the Chief of Staff of the Army’s number one priority, and Soldiers are expected to have the personal accountability to maintain their readiness. This includes medical readiness – ensuring your vision, dental, hearing, and immunizations are all up-to-date, that you are medically ready to deploy, and if you are not, you are taking the steps to return to a medically ready state. When Soldiers make appointments, they are obligated to keep their appointments and if a situation arises where they are unable to keep them, they must re-schedule appropriately. In MEDDAC, the cost of failing to report to an appointment is incredibly evident. A “no-show” for an appointment in reality costs three appointments; one for the appointment missed, one for the new appointment the Soldier has to make after missing the original appointment, and one for the Soldier who could have been scheduled for that same time had the appointment been appropriately cancelled. Physical readiness is another aspect for which a Soldier is accountable. Soldiers are expected to remain physically fit and within acceptable height & weight and body fat percentage ranges. That means it is a Soldier’s responsibility to exercise regularly and be able to pass a PT test when required. Finally, there is mission readiness. Mission readiness means that a Soldier is appropriately prepared to execute their mission at any time. Medical, physical, and mission