THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE ARMY AND THE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE IMPACT IT CAN HAVE.
By: SGT Looper, Harley Whether you are dealing with property or personnel, proper accountability is of the greatest importance in the Army. Having proper accountability can make or break your mission. As an NCO one of my main responsibilities is the accomplishment of my mission. Knowing where my soldiers and my equipment are will help me to succeed in accomplishing that mission. There are many things that can pop up on a day to day basis that can require my immediate knowledge of where my soldiers are. For example, if we have an IDF (indirect fire) attack and one of my soldiers got injured my knowledge of where they are could make the difference in them getting the timely care they needed. On the other hand if I have no accountability of my soldiers they may not get the proper care and could greatly hinder the mission. On a positive note if there is an IDF attack and I can account for my soldiers in a timely manner that allows me continue with my mission allowing the organization to function more efficiently. Other situations also require immediate accountability of my soldiers. Such as providing important information that will help them to be successful in their mission. Lets say I go to the company and get the news that one of my soldiers has received a Red Cross message, and I have no idea where that soldier is. If I cannot deliver that message in a timely manner it could cause that soldier not to get where they need to be on time. As an NCO I am not here to fail my soldiers. Accountability of property is just as important as accountability of personnel in the Army. We have a lot of sensitive items that we deal with on a day to day basis, and any one of them falling in the hands of the enemy could destroy our mission. Items such as maps, weapons, radios, and even