Warrior Ethos

Lesson 09: Seven Army Values and Warrior Ethos

Practical Exercise

1

Identifying the Seven Army Values

Instructions:

•Divide into two groups and select group leaders

•Read your group’s assigned scenario

•Take five minutes to discuss which of the Seven Army Values MSG Gordon and SFC Shughart
practiced in their actions on Mogadishu. List your group’s responses in the chart below

•Take five minutes to discuss which of the Seven Army Values the second platoon leader had not
practiced or violated.List your group’s responses in the chart below

•Be prepared to discuss your group’s recommendations with the class

•Answers may be placed in blank space next to photos of values

• Group 1 has the first Scenario

Group 2 has the second Scenario

Group 1 Scenario: During a raid in Mogadishu in October 1993, Master Sergeant (MSG) Gary Gordon
and Sergeant First Class (SFC) Randall Shughart, leader and member of a sniper team, respectively, with
Task Force Ranger in Somalia, were providing precision and suppressive fires from helicopters above two
helicopter crash sites. Learning that no ground forces were available to rescue one of the downed
aircrews and aware that a growing number of the enemy were closing in on the site, MSG Gordon and
SFC Shughart volunteered to be inserted to protect their critically wounded comrades.
Their initial request was turned down because of the dangerous situation. They asked a second time;
permission was denied. Only after their third request were they inserted.
MSG Gordon and SFC Shughart were inserted one hundred meters south of the downed chopper.

Armed only with their personal weapons, the two NCOs fought their way to the downed fliers through
intense small arms fire, a maze of shanties and shacks, and the enemy converging on the site. After MSG
Gordon and SFC Shughart pulled the wounded from the wreckage, they established a perimeter, put
themselves in the most dangerous position and fought off a series of attacks. The two NCOs continued
to protect their comrades until they had depleted their ammunition and were themselves fatally
wounded. Their actions saved the life of an Army pilot.

No one will ever know what was running through the minds of MSG Gordon and SFC Shughart as they left the comparative safety of their helicopter to go to the aid of the downed aircrew. The two NCOs knew there was no ground rescue force available, and they certainly knew there was no going back to
their helicopter.

Group 2 Scenario: You are currently a platoon leader (1st Platoon) operating in a hostile area where your
unit continues to encounter IED’s and small arms fire. While searching the village for weapons you
observe members of a sister platoon abusing several of the villagers by punching and pushing them. You
address what you’ve witnessed with the platoon’s commander (2nd Platoon) who asks that you don’t tell
anyone about the incident. The platoon commander claims they are fulfilling the mission and that
successful missions means special awards.

Lesson 09: Seven Army Values and Warrior Ethos

2

Army Values

Loyalty

Duty

Respect

Practical Exercise

MS101: Introduction to the Army

Revision Date: 31 March 2022

Lesson 09: Seven Army Values and Warrior Ethos

Practical Exercise

3

Selfless Service

Honor

Integrity

Personal Courage

MS101: Introduction to the Army

Revision Date: 31 March 2022

Practical Exercise

4

Explain the Warrior Ethos

Instructions:
•Stay in same groups but select different group leaders

•Read your group’s assigned Warrior Ethos (each group explain two)

•Take five minutes to discuss the Tenets of Warrior Ethos and how they would shape who you are
and what you do as a leader

•List your group’s responses in the chart below

•Be prepared to discuss your group’s recommendations with the class

•Place answers in blank space below Ethos titles

Group 1 Ethos: I Will Always Place the Mission First, I Will Never Accept Defeat

Group 2 Ethos: I will Never Quit, I Will Never Leave a Fallen Comrade

The Warrior Ethos

Warrior Ethos 1: I Will Always Place the Mission First

Warrior Ethos 2: I Will Never Accept Defeat

MS101: Introduction to the Army

Revision Date: 31 March 2022

Lesson 09: Seven Army Values and Warrior Ethos

Practical Exercise

5

Warrior Ethos 3: I Will Never Quit

Warrior Ethos 4: I Will Never Leave a Fallen Comrade