Warrior Ethos Essay

Warrior Ethos Essay


I will always place the mission first

I will never accept defeat

I will never quit

I will never leave a fallen comrade.





The warrior ethos, a code that all soldiers live by the full-timers and the “weekend warriors” National Guard and Reserves alike, it does not mean any less to the weekend warriors than it does to the fulltime (Army). We are all a part of the same team, “Army of One,” and we are all “Army Strong.”In fact, we bring the warrior ethos into our civilian lives and teach it to our family. Imagine, if the world live according to the Ethos.

I myself can personally, relate to the first four lines of the Ethos in all aspects of my life. I have always had a problem with passing my two-mile run of the APFT, always missing my time within a minute. However, I never did quit, I kept pushing myself until I passed with continuing the success into my deployment overseas in 2007 and as a result receiving my sergeant rank. I continued to run while overseas to keep up with my success. Then when I returned home in 2008, I went and hired a personal trainer to keep me going on that road to success towards my mission of maxing out the APFT.

I always dreamt of being a soldier in the army, serving my country, unfortunately however, I did not do so immediately following high school. It seems like I was always talking myself out of it for one reason or another, then finally at the ripe old age of thirty-two, I told myself, “It’s now or never” because at that time the cut off age was thirty-four years old. All I can remember about the day I left for basic training and arriving at Fort Jackson, S.C. is that I was scared to death; however, I tried extremely hard not to let it show. This was before I knew about the Ethos and however, I was not going to quit then either. Weeks later, with only the FTX, APFT left to do until graduation, I hurt my foot during the APFT, though I still finished and passed with the personal courage that was inside of me. It was bad, I could not walk or stand without hurting, I did not want to go to sick call because I would be on profile and that would extend my time on base and not graduate with my battles. However, a few of my battles told me to go and said, “That your feet are more important than the army.” Therefore, off I went to sick call, and I was right, I ended up on a profile and not graduating on time. Graduation came and went, watching my battles going off to their AIT. As I sit in shame while waiting to go back to reception area to PTRP, to recover which included 30-day convalescence leave. Then finish my last two weeks with a different platoon and drill sergeants, so I decided to request the same drill sergeants.

Later at PTRP, where I almost gave up and wanted so much to throw in the towel; however, I stuck it out however painful physically and mentally it was; I was not going to quit! After a couple weeks, after my convalescence leave to finish what I started; finally I graduated and went onto AIT, still injured (hid it from the DR at PTRP) because I wanted to so much to get out of there and go home!

Instead of four months of training, it was nine months; however, I have to say, eleven years later, it was worth it, though painstakingly as it was. With some personal courage, honor, and loyalty I overcame, adapted, and finished my mission with success. Now all these years later, I am still passing the APFT, but now with a walking, rather than running profile; it was not all “cake and ice cream,” I was flagged and banned from re-enlisting until I passed my APFT with or without a profile. I did not feel like I should be in the Army with a profile for the longest time; however, I do deserve to serve my country, just as much has anyone else without a profile serving and I do it with pride, to be able to wear the uniform.



I will always place the mission first

I will never accept defeat

I will never quit

I will never leave a fallen comrade.







The Warrior Ethos, words that we live by is a choice that we make and accept with pride.



Written By Sgt. Kristin Hurtig of the Illinois Army National Guard