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News from the Top
Assistant Chief of General Staff Human Resources
Col Al McCone
17 October 2006
Ethos and Values
How we support our country by supporting our mates
Our ethos is “Serving New Zealand Loyally and Honorably”; our values are courage, commitment, comradeship and integrity – but what do these words really mean?
Our ethos describes the characteristic spirit and beliefs of our Army: our way of life; our code of conduct. “Ethos” incorporates two elements that have stood the test of time during peace and war:
Loyalty All uniformed personnel in the Army have sworn a solemn oath of allegiance to the New Zealand Government and to the Crown. We exist to support our country’s goals, and to promote the standard of freedom New Zealanders enjoy.
Honour The New Zealand Army has a proud history. To serve honourably, we must consistently maintain the highest standards of behaviour. We must live up to, or improve on, the reputation established by our predecessors.
The table (below) lists behaviours expected of each other, and how these relate to our values. Courage, commitment, comradeship and integrity require the highest standards of behaviour, as well as a mentality preparing us for war-fighting. There is an important reason for this – we need to be able to trust and depend on each other during stressful situations.
The New Zealand Army is not merely a heap of well-trained individuals. We are a large team, made up of lots of small teams, which fit together like building blocks to form the shape required to achieve a given task. As a team, we can achieve more than as individuals – the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
But: teams only work if each person plays their part. Each person’s behaviour must give their comrades certainty that they will perform the right way when required.
Reading the table, you will see that these things cover our whole life, not just when we are at work or at war – so we should display them 24 hours a day.
I have a challenge for all Army personnel. If you want to serve loyally and honourably, act as the fault checker for yourself and your peers, using these behaviours as a guide. Can you do it?
THE WARRIOR ETHOS |
COURAGE |
COMMITMENT |
COMRADESHIP |
INTEGRITY |
IDEAL BEHAVIOUR |
Self-discipline to harden oneself physically |
Setting and achieving personal physical challenges |
Attaining and maintaining physical standards |
Promotes competitiveness |
Seeks to improve own standards |
Total and unshakeable trust in each other |
Standing up for what is right, not giving in to peer pressure
Admits mistakes, takes the blame |
Being totally reliable |
Always being there for your mates Demonstrates respect |
Always straight and honest. Holds sound principles |
Mental toughness to endure extremes of hardship |
Never gives in, never shies away from a task |
Is determined |
Always supporting mates in adverse situations |
Completes difficult tasks and missions |
Commitment to complete any duty assigned |
Not accepting less than complete work Makes decisions Sets priorities |
Never refusing a task, no matter how difficult it seems Solves problems |
Assisting others to complete tasks |
Always completing a task to the standard required |
Determination and confidence to overcome all odds |
Believing that the task is possible and looking for alternate ways to do so |
Always sticking to a task until completed |
Working in teams to overcome odds, keeping morale up |
Making no excuses for non-completion |
The relentless desire to be the best, but not at the expense of comrades or team |
Recognising own and others faults and working to improve them Accepts criticism Allows mistakes, corrects afterwards |
Always striving to improve self and others Seeks challenges |
Being honest with others about their abilities Counsels subordinates |
Being honest about own and others abilities Sets an example Demonstrates humility, not arrogance |
Commitment to be technically competent to the most demanding standards |
Resists pressure to lower standards Seeks advice Tries alternatives |
Displays initiative Pursues self-improvement |
Supervises and coaches subordinates |
Delivers sound orders |
The selflessness to put your comrades before yourself |
Undertakes unpopular tasks |
Anticipates superior’s requirements |
Places subordinates before self Improves standards in others |
Allocates credit Represents subordinates |
The unqualified willingness to sacrifice oneself for the mission, unit or comrade |
Shows personal resolve |
Supports others at all times |
Looks to the well-being of others |
Maintains standards in others |
The mental hardness to survive the horrors of the battlefield |
Demonstrates self-control Maintains calmness, confidence and resolve |
Shows ability to overcome adversity |
Prepares others |
Enforces discipline |
To never be satisfied with anything short of victory |
Takes well-calculated risks |
Solves problems |
Promotes competitiveness |
Completes difficult tasks and missions |
To put the mission or team goal before oneself |
Supports Superiors Delegates authority |
Plans tasks Manages resources |
Develops pride in others |
Positively represents superiors intent |
This page was last reviewed on 02 November 2006 and is current.
