Personal responsibility and accountability go hand in hand. Each just as important as the other. Without one you cannot have the other. Essentially they are the same thing. Having responsibility basically means being accountable for your actions and or personal items at all times. Being accountable means knowing were all of your things are at all times. So basically without one you cannot have the other. Both are important to being a good soldier in the Army. If a soldier doesn’t have either accountability or responsibility he or she is not a good soldier.
Not having these qualities can lead to being an untrained and ineffective soldier. They say you’re only as strong as you’re weakest link. So if a unit goes out on a patrol how can the unit be effective if one soldier doesn’t have responsibility or accountability? Better yet how can that soldier be trusted? In other words, the soldier that does not keep these qualities puts all the other soldiers with him or her in danger.
Not having these qualities makes everyday tasks difficult as well. Things like person hygiene and sleeping become difficult if a soldier cannot keep accountability of things like their keys.
Such a small yet important thing to always have. Or things like having the correct gear at all times. Skimping on the packing list could prove to be a bad idea if it so happens to rain. Maybe not having all your gear could cause you to not train. Not training doesn’t help anyone and causes and ineffective soldier. Having responsibility and accountability is necessary every day in everything you do. From having your meal card for chow to going out on the weekends and having a safe way home if you are not able to do so on your own.
Things like being a responsible designated driver and having accountability of all of your friends so they don’t get themselves into trouble. Or as a team leader and knowing where all your soldiers are so one doesn’t get lost or captured. Having accountability of your weapon is also extremely important. Not having your weapon means that you have no means of defense if ever attacked. Not to mention they are expensive and not knowing where your weapon is causes unneeded stress and headache for soldiers including chain of command. Responsibility and accountability comes into play as well when it comes to a soldier’s actions.
Always doing the right things is key to being a good soldier. It is 100% necessary to do the right thing as a soldier. Only soldiers who have responsibility and accountability do the right thing. In other words, both qualities are important to be a soldier never the less an infantryman in the Army. They go hand in hand. You cannot have accountability without responsibility and vice versa. Other than living the Army values, these two qualities are two of the most important qualities a soldier can have. Without them being a good soldier is impossible.
