SOCOM ARMY VALUES
Godly Values
Godly Values are important because they define character traits that help develop and maintain discipline. These values and the resulting discipline cause soldiers to do the right thing and continue doing the right thing even when it is hard. In leaders these traits are doubly important – we all know that actions speak louder than words. Your soldiers watch what you do as well as listen to what you say. You can’t just carry values around in your pocket – you must demonstrate them in all you do.
Loyalty
Bear true faith and allegiance to the LORD
Stand by your soldiers’ honest mistakes – they can’t learn without making a few. Take pride in their accomplishments and ensure your superiors hear about them. Make sure they understand their mission, know how to accomplish it and why it is important. Know that you and your soldiers are part of a bigger picture and every soldier has a task that supports the overall objective. When the commander makes a decision, execute - don’t talk down about it either with your peers or your soldiers.
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.
Proverbs 3:3 (NLT)
Proverbs 3:3 (NLT)
Duty
Fulfill your obligations…as unto the LORD
Take responsibility and do what's right, no matter how tough it is, even when no one is watching. Accomplish all assigned or implied tasks to the fullest of your ability. Duty requires a willingness to accept full responsibility for your actions and for your soldiers’ performance. Take the initiative and anticipate requirements based on the situation. You will be asked to put the Bible ahead of the personal safety of you and your soldiers.
“And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts 20:35 (NLT)
Acts 20:35 (NLT)
Respect
Treat people as they should be treated (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you)
Respect is treating others with consideration and honor. It is the expectation that others are as committed to getting the job done as you are while accepting they may have different ways of doing so. You don’t have to accept every suggestion to show respect; just expect honesty and professionalism. Conduct corrective training with the end in mind — to help that soldier develop discipline and ultimately survive on the battlefield.
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Romans 12:10 (NLT)
Romans 12:10 (NLT)
Selfless Service
Put others before self (Love your neighbor as yourself)
Christ must always come first. Selfless service is placing your duty before your personal desires. It is the ability to endure hardships and insurmountable odds in the service of fellow soldiers and our King. Placing your duty and your soldiers’ welfare before your personal desires has always been key to the uniqueness of the Christian faith.
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 (NLT)
John 3:16 (NLT)
Honor
Live up to the Godly Values
Honor is living up to the SOCOM Army Values. It starts with being honest with one’s self and being truthful and sincere in all of our actions. Being honest with one’s self is perhaps the best way to live the SOCOM Army Values. If something does not seem right to you or someone asks you to compromise your values, then you need to assess the situation and take steps to correct the issue.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)
Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)
Integrity
Doing what is right (legally, morally, and spiritually)
Integrity obliges one to act when duty calls. Integrity means to firmly adhere to the principles that God has established in His Word. Living and speaking with integrity is very hard. You must live by your word for everything, no buts, no excuses. Having integrity and being honest in everything you say and do builds trust. As leaders, all soldiers are watching and looking to see that you are honest and live by your word. If you make a mistake, you should openly acknowledge it, learn from it and move forward.
“But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.”
1 Peter 3:16 (NLT)
1 Peter 3:16 (NLT)
Personal Courage
Face fear, danger or adversity (Walk by faith)
Persevere in what you know to be right and don't tolerate wrong behavior in others. Physical courage is overcoming fears of bodily harm while performing your duty. Moral courage is overcoming fears while doing what is right even if unpopular. It takes special courage to make and support unpopular decisions. Do not compromise your values or Christian principles. Hold to your position in what you know is true.
David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
1 Samuel 17:45 (NLT)
1 Samuel 17:45 (NLT)
By accepting the SOCOM Army Values and by your example passing them on to your soldiers, you help develop and spread the Gospel throughout the world. The warrior ethos is that frame of mind whereby soldiers will not quit until they have accomplished their mission. It "compels soldiers to fight through all conditions to victory, no matter how long it takes and no matter how much effort is required. It is the soldier’s selfless commitment to God and fellow soldiers. It is the Godly attitude that inspires every SOCOM soldier. The warrior ethos is grounded in refusal to accept failure. It is developed and sustained through discipline, example, and commitment to Christ Jesus."