On 27 April, our nation will recognize Administrative Professionals Day. This day has come a long way since its inception during World War II, when there was an increased demand for skilled administrative personnel.
Dictionary.com gives a few definitions for an administrator. Here are just a couple: “The manager of any office, business, or organization.” “The one who exercises the executive functions.”
This nationally recognized day represents those who execute and function as professionals in their particular field. They are subject matter experts.
Isn’t that true of you? As a Soldier, are you not expected to exercise and function as a professional in everything you “Be, Know, and Do?”
Let’s reflect briefly on the first few words of The Soldier’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 don’t know about you, but when I read those words about you and me, it makes me feel that I belong to something much bigger than myself. I feel I am worth something. I feel valued as a member of the greatest organization in the world. When I read those words, I know my Battle Buddies are Team Members of the same organization as I. My Battle Buddies (comrades) are always going to march along side me, living-out the Seven Army Values, making mission, overcoming insurmountable odds with resiliency and helping me to do the same, never leaving me nor forsaking me, always treating with respect, taking good care of me. Even when I fall or fail, my Battle Buddies will always be there to pick me up and brush me off. My Battle Buddies are disciplined in every way to Be-Know-Do what professionals do.
I have peace in my heart and mind as I realize I can be transparent with my team members, trusting them with who I am as a Soldier, spouse, and Family member.
Even when I feel weak, I can feel strong, know- ing I can depend on my Battle Buddies who never quit and never leave a fallen comrade. Isn’t that true about you? As an obedient and faithful American Soldier, don’t you reach out to your fellow Battle Buddies when you see they need help? It’s who we are. It’s what we do. It’s the Army Strong way. It’s the life-saving, life-sustaining molding and shaping of the force from whence we are made.
The BLUF? We are professionals, subject matter experts.
Chaplains help bring God to Soldiers and bring Soldiers to God. You can too, by living-out the godly character I just described. It’s who and what we are all about, serving God and Country.
I am an American Army Reserve Soldier and I am ready to be there for my fellow Soldiers, Civil- ians and their precious Families, no matter what the struggle or stress.
Twice the Citizen! Army Strong!
