What is the purpose of the military’s core values?

The core values of the military serve as a fundamental framework for guiding the ethical behavior and decision-making of service members. These values instill a sense of duty, honor, and integrity, which are essential for maintaining trust and fostering cohesion within the ranks. By promoting standards of conduct, the core values help shape a culture that emphasizes accountability and responsibility, which are critical in a military environment where decisions can have significant consequences.

Unlike physical training requirements, which focus on fitness standards, or financial accountability, which deals with resource management, the core values specifically address the moral and ethical dimensions of service. They also differ from a legal framework for military operations, which relates to laws and regulations guiding military actions. Thus, the primary focus of the military’s core values is to ensure that service members act in accordance with principles that uphold the integrity and honor of the military service.