Importance of Accountability in The Army and Secure Environment for The Readiness of The Force

Soldiers in the Army are expected to be prepared, trained, highly motivated individuals who are ready to do whatever the mission requires. A common saying throughout the Army is “Right time, right place, right uniform.” This saying is often used to teach soldiers the basic requirements to be a squared away soldier. As long as you are where you are supposed to be, at the right time, and in the uniform necessary, then you are doing the right thing and no corrective action will be necessary. This past weekend, I broke that rule by being in a male soldier’s room after bed check. I was not where I was supposed to be at the right time. CQ was not able to gain accountability of me because I was doing the wrong thing. Accountability is extremely important in the Army because when all soldiers are accounted for, then the force of the US Army is ready to engage in any mission necessary. Accountability also provides a safe and secure environment for our battle buddies. No one will have to worry about danger because they trust their battle buddy is doing the right thing and where they are supposed to be.

TRADOC is the commanding team of all AIT sites for the US Army. Under TRADOC, they have set many rules and regulations to ensure each AIT site produces competent, confident, ready soldiers for the US, to do what they were taught to do at a moment’s notice. Included in TRADOC regulations is the guidelines for a safe and secure environment. TRADOC says each AIT site will have “independent sleeping areas, separate entrances to living areas, and separate latrines” for each gender. TRADOC even has regulations about our specific style of barracks, a hotel/campus-style barracks. It says that each hallway must be the same gender and the hallway will have a door with a lock and alarm that alerts CQ if someone uses that entrance. This is to ensure all soldiers have an equal opportunity to go through AIT in a safe environment. All soldiers are afforded the right to learn their MOS devoid of the worry of discrimination, bullying, sexual harassment or any other danger or harassment.

Curfews are another way to ensure soldiers have a safe environment. A curfew during the week provides soldiers’ time for adequate sleep needed to learn and perform their best. During the weekend, a curfew provides accountability and to gather soldiers in a safe environment so they are not out doing anything they are not supposed to or getting into any dangerous situations. According to the barrack’s policy, the curfew is to provide accountability every night. CQ must crosscheck our CAC cards with the barrack’s roster and then we must stay in our rooms until the following morning. The barrack’s policy also states that soldiers of the opposite sex are not allowed in each other’s rooms or on the other floors. These policies are in place to make sure that the barracks is a safe, comfortable place for each soldier who lives there to have a place to relax, recharge, and get ready for the next day’s mission.

According to Merriam Webster, the definition of accountability is “an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions.” In the Army, accountability is about more than that, though. For the Army, it means being ready to fight and defend the US at a moment’s notice. It means being competent and qualified to perform the duties assigned to you. It means relying on your battle buddies to be just as prepared as you are for any call to action, whether it be combat or a simple clean-up duty. Accountability plays a big part in having a ready force, including AIT soldiers. All leaders have an accurate count and location on all soldiers assigned under their care. They can call and gather those soldiers for any duty. They know where all soldiers are in case of an emergency or if any action needs to be take in regards to combat situations. Failing accountability and barrack’s policy, I made a mistake and had a lapse in judgement and have been provided the opportunity to correct my behavior before action is taken.

I now understand the extent of my actions and the danger it could pose to other students. To correct my behavior, I will maintain accountability at all times and follow curfew when it is appropriate. I will also ensure I am at the right place at the right time in the right uniform. Furthermore, I will refrain from putting other soldiers in danger and stay in my room after curfew. Next time CQ needs to ensure accountability of me after curfew, I will be in my room. Next time I would like to socialize with other soldiers, I will utilize the day room or the conference room to follow barrack’s policies. I could also plan an outing to socialize rather than being on the wrong floor. Weekends is everyone’s time to relax and unwind or study for the upcoming test. Using this essay as a tool to learn more about the regulations and about accountability, I have solidified the policies and will continue to follow them like all other soldiers.

Accountability is important throughout the army to maintain a ready force for combat. Curfew during AIT is a form of accountability that ensures the safety of the soldiers and a safe environment. Taking responsibility of one’s actions is also a part of accountability and by admitting I made a mistake and being provided the opportunity to correct my mistake, I have learned that what I did was wrong and I will never fail the mission again. Now I will make sure I can help provide that environment for other soldiers because I would want the same as well. TRADOC has set the appropriate regulations for AIT for a safe and secure environment for other soldiers to learn their MOS, just like me. The company also has their own rules that they believe help ensure a safe environment for soldiers in training. These rules were followed by past AIT soldiers and should be continued to be followed until otherwise told.

Works Cited

1. U.S. Department of the Army. (2019, August 9). TR350-6. Retrieved December 17, 2019, from https://adminpubs.tradoc.army.mil/regulations/TR350-6.pdf.
2. Accountability. In The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved December 17, 2019, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accountability