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Leonardo Trinidad

Trishia Briones

ENGL 1301-162

September 28, 2023

The Soldiers for the Soldiers

For centuries, U.S. Army Soldiers have been the backbone and support of the United

States of America, but it is important to consider who supports them in return. Since the birth of

the U.S. Army, on June 16, 1775, the Adjutant General Corps have been the support of Soldiers

and their families. They do this by working with Soldiers and their families, making sure their

data is up to date and are ready to advance in their careers. Although the job of an Adjutant

General is mostly found in the office, they have also proven to not only be able to provide

exceptional human resources and administration services but are also proficient in combat. The

Adjutant General Corps utilize a creed to provide a mission statement, establish a code of

conduct, and encourage personal development.

First, lets address the purpose of a creed; a creed is a pledge, a set of statements of beliefs

that are instructional and of guiding nature, a mission statement. One of the ways that the

Adjutant General Corps use a creed is to state their mission by using repetition. The repetition of

“I will” followed by a stated action outlines the values and expectations of the Adjutant General;

it is used 8 times, giving 8 statements but the last one is different (“The Adjutant General Corps

Creed”). At the end, it changes from “I will” to “My actions will”; this last statement “My action

will speak louder than my words”, implements and brings more assertiveness to the last 7

statements (“The Adjutant General Corps Creed”). Lastly, they conclude with their motto

“Defend and Serve”, one that perfectly encapsulates the mission of the Adjutant General; the
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commitment of the Adjutant General to fight and defend their country and to support the Soldiers

and their Families. This motto supports three of the creed’s statements: “I will be technically and

tactically proficient”, “I will understand and be committed to meeting my Commander’s intent”,

and “I will provide timely and quality support to the Soldiers and Families I serve”; Adjutant

Generals must be the best of both worlds, in the field and in the office, must be ready to meet the

standards of his commander’s say, and provide the best service possible (“The Adjutant General

Corps Creed”).

The Adjutant General does not just have a job to work for others but to work on self-

improvement. As stated in their creed, which emphasizes that "readiness is the cornerstone of our

mission," the duty of the Adjutant General extends beyond enhancing the U.S. Army's readiness;

it also encompasses the enhancement of their own readiness to effectively confront any challenge

(“The Adjutant General Corps Creed”). There are multiple policies, programs, services, and

systems that the Adjutant General should learn to be able to provide soldier support successfully;

in learning many operations the Adjutant General may lose focus of another and forget. The

creed reminds Adjutant Generals to keep learning and to keep updating themselves on these

operations by stating one key phrase “I will strive to enhance my knowledge, skills, and

abilities” (“The Adjutant General Corps Creed”). Please bear in mind that it states, “I will strive”

and not “I will [attempt]”; this implements that it is not only their task to improve themselves,

but their duty to aim and make a great effort to achieve such a feat (“The Adjutant General Corps

Creed”). By stating “I will maintain my personal readiness, both mentally and physically”, the

creed reminds the Adjutant Generals to not get complacent and continue gaining physical

strength and keeping their minds healthy, even though their tasks are usually found in their office

(“The Adjutant General Corps Creed”). A soldier must always be ready for combat, to be
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deployed, one never knows when war may break loose. Although very unlikely that Adjutant

Generals may have the chance to experience combat, it is important that when duty calls, they

can be ready to respond and fight back proficiently; there is a saying in the military that says,

“complacency kills” and if the Adjutant General has slacked off, is not strong, and is mentally

vulnerable, he can get himself killed by the enemy because he was not able to compete with the

enemy. Adjutant Generals are not only for the soldiers, but they are soldiers themselves; their

focus will always be the support of the soldiers, but it is important for them not to forget what

they were made for, ensuring they stand ever prepared for battle or any military challenge that

may arise.

In essence, the Adjutant General Corps has been the backbone of support for U.S. Army

Soldiers and their families since the birth of the U.S. Army in 1775. Their creed serves as a

guiding motto, emphasizing values and the importance of personal growth, with a powerful

reminder that actions speak louder than words. Their motto, “Defend and Serve,” encapsulates

their mission to protect the nation and provide unwavering support. However, it is not just about

supporting others; Adjutant Generals must continually strive for personal improvement, both

mentally and physically, as complacency is not an option. They are not just support staff; they

are soldiers who stand ready to take action when needed, ensuring that everyone is prepared for

whatever challenges may come their way.

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Work Cited

“The Adjutant General’s Corps Creed.” HRC Homepage, 22 June 2018,

www.hrc.army.mil/content/About%20TAGD.