Values guide decisions.
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| Photo by Walls.io on Unsplash |
Values drive behavior.
Values shape culture, families, classrooms, and entire organizations.
But let’s be honest—sometimes values feel abstract.
Sometimes they get blurry under pressure.
Sometimes life hits hard, and we find ourselves asking, “What should I do?”
When you’re not sure where to anchor yourself, the Army Values offer a simple, powerful place to start. You don’t need to wear a uniform or serve in the military to apply them. They’re universal principles that strengthen leadership, character, and everyday decision-making.
Whether you’re a teacher trying to guide students, a coach building team culture, a parent navigating tough moments, or a business leader trying to set the tone—the Army Values give you a clear path forward.
Let’s walk through each one and apply it to real life.
The Army Values (LDRSHIP)
The seven Army Values spell out the acronym LDRSHIP:
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Loyalty
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Duty
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Respect
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Selfless Service
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Honor
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Integrity
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Personal Courage
These values aren’t slogans—they’re expectations. They guide soldiers in the hardest environments imaginable. And they can guide the rest of us in the everyday battles of life and leadership.
1. Loyalty — Stand With Your People
In the Army, loyalty means commitment to the mission, your teammates, and the organization.
In civilian life, loyalty looks like:
• Showing up consistently
• Supporting your team
• Keeping your words and promises
• Being dependable, not convenient
Loyalty builds trust—slowly and intentionally.
2. Duty — Do What Needs to Be Done
Duty means fulfilling obligations without waiting to be asked twice.
Everyday examples:
• Teachers preparing lessons even when exhausted
• Coaches showing up early to set up the field
• Employees meeting deadlines without excuses
• Students giving their best effort
Duty isn’t glamorous.
It’s steady, quiet responsibility.
3. Respect — Treat People With Dignity
Photo by Tiago Felipe Ferreira on Unsplash
Respect is more than politeness. It’s recognizing the value in every individual.
In classrooms, respect builds safe learning environments.
In teams, respect strengthens unity.
In businesses, respect improves culture and productivity.
Respect is the foundation for every healthy relationship.
4. Selfless Service — Put the Mission Before Yourself
This doesn’t mean ignoring your needs.
It means understanding the bigger picture.
Examples:
• Coaches mentoring players beyond the field
• Teachers going the extra mile for struggling students
• Leaders who listen more than they talk
• Parents who sacrifice for their children
Selfless service builds stronger communities and stronger character.
5. Honor — Live Your Values Consistently
Honor means doing the right thing—even when no one is watching.
It looks like:
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| Photo by Walls.io on Unsplash |
• Owning your mistakes
• Having standards
• Being someone others can rely on
Honor is the sum of all the other values lived out daily.
6. Integrity — Tell the Truth and Act With Honesty
Integrity is being the same person in public and private.
In education, coaching, and business, integrity matters because:
• Trust collapses without it
• Teams follow leaders who are authentic
• Honesty eliminates confusion
• Transparency builds credibility
Integrity is the anchor in difficult moments.
7. Personal Courage — Do What’s Right, Not What’s Easy
Courage isn’t just battlefield bravery.
It’s:
• Admitting when you’re wrong
• Having hard conversations
• Standing up for others
• Making ethical choices under pressure
• Trying something new when failure is possible
Courage moves you forward when fear tries to hold you back.
When You’re Struggling With Values—Start Here
Life gets messy.
Situations get complicated.
People get stressed, tired, frustrated, or overwhelmed.
If your personal values feel unclear or you’re unsure what path to take:
Start with LDRSHIP.
Ask yourself:
• What does loyalty look like right now?
• What is my duty in this situation?
• Am I treating others with respect?
• Am I serving something bigger than myself?
• What choice aligns with honor?
• Am I acting with integrity?
• What does courage require?
You don’t need perfection.
You just need direction.
The Army Values provide it.
Final Thought
The Army created these values to guide soldiers in the toughest environments. But their strength is universal. They remind us who we can become—leaders with character, consistency, and purpose.
If you’re unsure what decision to make…
If you want to be a better leader, teacher, parent, coach, or friend…
Start with LDRSHIP.
The path becomes clearer from there.
Teach. Coach. Lead.
JVD
Sources & Credits
The Army Values (LDRSHIP) are codified in U.S. Army doctrine, including FM 6-22 (Army Leadership and the Profession). Interpretations here translate those values into civilian leadership, education, coaching, and personal development contexts.
This post was drafted with the assistance of AI (ChatGPT) and edited by Mr. VanDusen.
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