A creed is a statement of core beliefs or values derived from the Latin Creedo or I believe... It usually is used in religious faiths but in the case of the US Military it's genisis is the core values of each of the services.

The Soldiers Creed are twelve statements, with the first being repeated once for emphasis and symbolism. They define a way of life for those who serve. The American Soldier is held to this standard daily by his superiors, peers, and subordinates. They are the second fundamental behind the oath of enlistment/office and define and guide the soldier in all that they do, on duty and off. Most particularly the creed requires the soldier to live the Army Core values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.

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 always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.

I am an expert and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am an American Soldier.

The Army Core Values are at the heart of this commitment and statement of beliefs. The definitions of these values follow:

Loyalty

Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit and other Soldiers. Bearing true faith and allegiance is a matter of believing in and devoting yourself to something or someone. A loyal Soldier is one who supports the leadership and stands up for fellow Soldiers. By wearing the uniform of the U.S. Army you are expressing your loyalty. And by doing your share, you show your loyalty to your unit..

Duty

Fulfill your obligations. Doing your duty means more than carrying out your assigned tasks. Duty means being able to accomplish tasks as part of a team. The work of the U.S. Army is a complex combination of missions, tasks and responsibilities — all in constant motion. Our work entails building one assignment onto another. You fulfill your obligations as a part of your unit every time you resist the temptation to take “shortcuts” that might undermine the integrity of the final product..

Respect

Treat people as they should be treated. In the Soldier’s Code, we pledge to “treat others with dignity and respect while expecting others to do the same.” Respect is what allows us to appreciate the best in other people. Respect is trusting that all people have done their jobs and fulfilled their duty. And self-respect is a vital ingredient with the Army value of respect, which results from knowing you have put forth your best effort. The Army is one team and each of us has something to contribute.

Selfless Service

Put the welfare of the Nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own. Selfless service is larger than just one person. In serving your country, you are doing your duty loyally without thought of recognition or gain. The basic building block of selfless service is the commitment of each team member to go a little further, endure a little longer, and look a little closer to see how he or she can add to the effort.

Honor

Live up to Army values. Honor is a matter of carrying out, acting, and living the values of respect, duty, loyalty, selfless service, integrity and personal courage in everything you do.

Integrity

Do what’s right, legally and morally. Integrity is a quality you develop by adhering to moral principles. It requires that you do and say nothing that deceives others. As your integrity grows, so does the trust others place in you. The more choices you make based on integrity, the more this highly prized value will affect your relationships with family and friends, and, finally, the fundamental acceptance of yourself.

Personal Courage

Face fear, danger or adversity (physical or moral). Personal courage has long been associated with our Army. With physical courage, it is a matter of enduring physical duress and at times risking personal safety. Facing moral fear or adversity may be a long, slow process of continuing forward on the right path, especially if taking those actions is not popular with others. You can build your personal courage by daily standing up for and acting upon the things that you know are honorable.

You should note that once again this is a lifestyle definition, not just what it takes to complete a tour of duty with the service, but seven enduring statements of personal commitment and the life model of servant leadership that are at the core of our constitution.

These are the reasons the national command authority can send our troops to the tough areas of the world, on difficult missions that may not be popular at home; with the expectation that it will be accomplished given the tools and time to do so. These values embodied in our soldiers are the reason in large part that the surge was successful in Iraq. Once the everyday Iraqi or
Afghanistan citizen comes in contact with these young men and women, living on small outposts in their community, they come to trust and rely upon them for fair treatment and a secure neighborhood.

These values are what our training teams embody with foreign security forces and are a fundamental part of what they are trying to teach them along with the military skills they need. They are well summed up in the signs hanging in most Dining Facilities in Iraq. “Be Professional, Be Polite, Be Prepared to Kill.” These words are not conflicting scenarios they are all three necessary in the fulfillment of their mission.

I know of no other Army on the planet or off that stresses core values such as these. They are at the heart of what makes our Army and our Soldiers great. God Bless them all.

This is the 2nd in a series of what makes The Armed Forces of the United States a unique force for good in the world. The Marine Corps Rifleman's Creed is next. Comments are welcome...