My corporation is the United States Army, my CEO is the President of the United States, and my job is to defend the constitution of the United States of America. Throughout this course I have been reminded of the stark differences in the U.S. Army and civilian corporations, but I have also learned of the many similarities. I believe the main difference originates from the induction of employment. In the Army, we sign a contract and are thereafter "employed" when we join or enlist. Upon our enlistment we further attest to our commitment by raising our right hand and pledging our allegiance:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Official photographic portrait of US President Bar...
English: Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President ...
English: own work, gfdlSo help me God. (Army Regulation, 601-270, 1999).
For more than 18 years, I have gone to my closet, picked out the same style clothing to wear to work. For that same amount of time it was dictated to me where I would live and how I would live; what I would do and how I would do it. The ability to interject any personalization was minimal. The U.S. Army is more like a culture or society than a corporation because there is a language and a governing set of rules and regulations. We even have our own legal system and supporting services. There is no separation between on and off duty because a soldier remains as such 24 hours a day, 7 days a weeks, 52...