Enhancing Warrior Ethos in Initial Entry Training

Abstract

The U.S. Army Infantry School Task Force Soldier, in 2003, adopted four Tenets of Warrior Ethos: Mission First, Never Quit, Never Accept Defeat, Never Leave a Fallen Comrade. The research described in this report was conducted for the U.S. Army Research Institute's Infantry Forces Research Unit at Fort Benning. The purpose of the research was to refine and operationalize the 2003 definition of Warrior Ethos and to examine means for its inculcation into the Army. Warrior Ethos was translated into seven values-based attributes exemplified by behavior which could be identified in combat and non-combat situations. The attributes thus make it easier to examine and develop the underpinnings of Warrior Ethos early in a Soldier's training. Hence, trainers can be provided with ways of looking at Soldier behavior within a framework for Warrior Ethos that can be applied consistently throughout training.