The Armed Forces Officer Department of the Army Pamphlet 600-2

"The Armed Forces Officer" by the United States Department of Defense is a manual on military officership written in the mid-20th century. This publication is intended to guide U.S. Armed Forces officers in their roles and responsibilities. The book explores themes of leadership, duty, and the foundational ideals of military service, emphasizing the officer's obligation to uphold democratic values and prioritize the welfare of their men. The opening of the text delves into the meaning of an officer's commission and the enduring responsibilities that accompany it. It outlines the profound commitment that comes with being commissioned, stating that officers must serve as symbols of integrity and dedication to their country. The text emphasizes the importance of fidelity, suggesting that it stands as a cornerstone of effective leadership. Furthermore, it reflects on the ideals that military officers are expected to embody, presenting a vision of character and moral fortitude as essential traits for American military leaders. This portion sets the stage for subsequent chapters that will further explore topics related to ideals, responsibilities, and the practicalities of leading within the armed services. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

The United States Department of Defense is an executive branch department of the federal government of the United States charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the U.S. government directly related to national security and the United States Armed Forces. As of November 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense is the second largest employer in the world—After India; and potentially China, if including the Central Military Commission. With over 1.4 million active-duty service personnel, including soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen, and guardians. The Department of Defense also maintains over 778,000 National Guard and reservists, and over 747,000 civilians bringing the total to over 2.91 million employees. Headquartered at the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., the Department of Defense's stated mission is "to provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security".