Military Review English Edition March-April 2016 | Page 119

ARMY CIVILIANS

programs within the Army Civilian Corps. But, we
must not confuse the inadequacy of the current civilian personnel management systems with the requirement to build a professional Army civilian.
The next three aspects of professions, and the
remaining characteristics of the Army Profession, can
also be shown to warrant professional membership.
The remaining aspects of a profession are earned trust,
self-regulation through education and certification,
and autonomy of action through honorable service.23
Army professionals live the Army ethic to sustain the
essential characteristics of the profession now and into
the future—to strengthen trust, the special faith and
confidence of the American people, esprit de corps, the
bond formed by mutual trust, shared understanding,
and stewardship.24

Documentation
To be certified as Army professionals, Army civilians must document how the aspects and essential
characteristics are being met within the Civilian Corps.
The documentation starts with the aspect of self-regulation. The Corps is self-regulated by its ever-evolving
evaluation system, targeted required education, and
professional development.25 It also includes the development of professional certification requirements, revisions to leader development certification, and creation
of career program standards.26 Next, stewardship and
esprit de corps are built through the consistent quality
of outcomes that are possible because of Army civilians’
application of landpower expertise and the continuity associated with their stability. The resulting effect
generates mutual trust. The trust afforded the Army
Profession encompasses all its members. Army civilians who are committed to the profession share equally
in that trust and its