ABSTRACT
Service members, of whatever service branch, begin life as civilians. They are born, develop, and educated, most likely within a civilian milieu. At some point in life they make a decision to enter the military. The reasons for this are personal to the individual; however, when they are sworn into the military they become integral parts of a team. For some, teamwork is something they have experienced throughout life; they have been part of a family team, a sibling team, a team of friends, sports or academic teams, and now a military team. For others, being part of a team is a new and unusual experience. For experienced team members, team rules and structure are familiar friends. For novices, a great deal of education must occur to help them attain team awareness, team familiarity, and finally “teamhood” (i.e., membership in the group). This is accomplished through athletic exercises, competitions between individuals and groups, direct instruction, or group encounters and learning to overcome stressful encounters. It is also inculcated via aphorisms, mottos, and calls to tradition; for example, Army recruits are taught to recite the Warrior’s Creed: I am an American Soldier. I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army values. I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained, and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment, and myself. I am an expert and I am a professional. I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat. I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am an American Soldier.
