In 1950, when he commissioned the first edition of The Armed Forces Officer, Secretary of Defense George C. Marshall told its author, S.L.A. Marshall, that "American military officers, of whatever service, should share common ground ethically and morally." In this new edition, the authors methodically explore that common ground, reflecting on the basics of the Profession of Arms, and the officer's special place and distinctive obligations within that profession and especially to the Constitution.

2016 edition statement from preface. Shipping list no.: 2017-0226-P.

Foreword / General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. -- Preface / Major General Frederick M. Padilla -- The commission and the oath -- The profession of arms -- The officer in the profession of arms -- The officer at work: The ethical use of force -- The officer at work: Leadership -- The officer at work: Command -- The officer and society: The vertical dimension -- The officer and society: The horizontal dimension -- Service identity and joint warfighting -- The Armed Forces officer -- Appendix A: Founding documents -- Appendix B: Authorizing statues for the Armed Forces -- Appendix C: Service values of the Armed Forces -- Appendix D: Code of conduct for members of the United States Armed Forces.