Training Article

What Makes a Warrior?

Tracy E. Barnhart

I have written many training articles and trained many individuals who I hope never need
the tactics and strategies that I have shown. I often wonder while pondering and
reminiscing of old times hoping that I told each student everything that I knew or have
shown them the details of the tactics necessary to subdue the resisting individual.
However, I always return to the same thought, what makes a warrior? In a very real
sense, corrections employees serve more time in prison than many inmates -- they just
serve it in eight-hour installments! The famous criminologist, James B. Jacobs noted, "A
career correctional officer in effect commits himself to a life sentence in prison."

A warrior is respected by his People

and despised by dishonorable enemies.
A warrior is loved by his People
and respected by honorable enemies.
Respect makes the warrior spirit rest.
Disrespect makes the warrior spirit restless.
A warrior is to be respected and loved,
a restless warrior spirit is to be feared,
and a restless warrior spirit is on the move.
Respect the warrior spirit my friends.
Let the dishonorable enemy know fear.

The law enforcement and corrections profession have evolved into American Icons, the
Warrior Elite. Why? What makes them tick? Why does the individual officer stand head
and shoulders above all other Professional Warrior wannabes? The answers are complex.
True, law enforcement today is a military force, but it is much more. Law enforcement and
correctional officers are an elite fraternity, a spiritual brotherhood. Entry into our ranks is a
calling. For most, earning the title is closely akin to becoming a priest. Yet, the ethos of
the Warrior Culture of law enforcement and correctional officers is simple: prowess in
conflict.

Each officer, past and present, has entered more than just the Brotherhood. He has
become, and will always remain, part of a mystical fellowship of valor. He must comply with
hallowed rituals. He must conform to an uncompromising code of honor, discipline, and
personal integrity. Commitment to his agency and moral strength become the norm.
Throughout history, these virtues have sustained Warriors during the chaos and perils of
combat. You may be able to win without fighting, and that is preferable. But, it is harder,
and the enemy may not cooperate.

The mission and the accomplishment of that mission are grander than your own well
being. Warriors have a calling and those individual warriors would serve a higher calling
even if there was no conflict to fight. Some individuals were meant to call 911; and
some individuals were meant to be 911. What make courageous individuals knowingly
and willingly walk into a maximum security prison, the so called, Belly of the Beast,” or

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respond effectively to a call of shots fired? A modern day law enforcement or correctional
warrior.

Of every one hundred men, ten shouldn’t even be there;

Eighty are nothing but targets;
Nine are real fighters….We are lucky to have them….They make the battle.
Ah; but one; one of them is a Warrior….And he will bring the others back.”
Heraclitus (Circa 500 B.C.)

Once they have earned the title and entered the Brotherhood of law enforcement, then the
new warrior can draw upon the legacy of his brotherhood. Therein lays their strength. In
return, the strength of the agency lies in the individual officer. The character (often defined
as "what you are in the dark") of these warriors is defined by the three constant
Organization Values: honor, courage, and commitment.

HONOR: Honor requires each officer to exemplify the ultimate standard in ethical and
moral conduct. Honor is many things; honor requires many things. A law enforcement and
correctional officer must never lie, never cheat, never steal, but that is not enough. Much
more is required. Each officer must cling to an uncompromising code of personal integrity,
accountable for his actions and holding others accountable for theirs. And, above all, honor
mandates that an officer never sully the reputation of the profession.

"Honor never grows old, and honor rejoices the heart of age. It does so because
honor is, finally, about defending those noble and worthy things that deserve
defending, even if it comes at a high cost. In our time, that may mean social
disapproval, public scorn, hardship, persecution, or as always, even death itself.
The question remains: What is worth defending? What is worth dying for?
What is worth living for?”
William J. Bennett
United States Naval Academy
November 24, 1997

COURAGE: Simply stated, courage is honor in action -- and more. Courage is moral
strength, the will to heed the inner voice of conscience, the will to do what is right
regardless of the conduct of others. It is mental discipline, an adherence to a higher
standard. Courage means willingness to take a stand for what is right in spite of adverse
consequences. This courage, throughout the history has sustained officers during the
chaos, perils, and hardships of conflict. And each day, it enables each officer to look in the
mirror -- and be proud.

“The harder that you work; the harder it is to surrender.”

Vince Lombardi

COMMITMENT: Total dedication to profession and brotherhood. “Teamwork.” “All for one,
one for all”. By whatever name or cliché, commitment is a combination of selfless
determination and a relentless dedication to excellence. Officers never give up, never give
in, and never willingly accept second best. Excellence is always the goal. Commitment

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never dies even after the badge is retired or a folded flag is handed to your significant
other.

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a mans character, give
him power.”
Abraham Lincoln

Honor, Courage, Commitment, they make up the bedrock of the character of each
individual officer. They are the foundation of the Organization these three values, handed
down from generation to generation, have made law enforcement and correctional officers
the Warrior Elite. Speaking specifically about correctional officers, but I think that it also
applies to law enforcement officers, C.T. Mangrum stated;

“There is not much that average correctional officers can do about their external
environments, but they can change their self-images, gain pride, and place emphasis on
professional behavior. Officers must be committed to professionalism and must be
competent, credible, and confident. Commitment comes from action, perseverance, and
attitude. Competency must be gain and maintained. Credibility must be earned internal
and external to the individual and the organization. Confidence ... flows from these other
attributes and characteristics. It is a widely accepted belief that the officer who has a solid
educational background, professional supervision, ongoing in-service training, and
continuous professional development will be better able to cope with the external
influences that will have a continuing impact on corrections.”

“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man
stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit
belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat
and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short time and
time again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends
himself a worthy cause; who if he wins knows the triumph of high achievement; and
who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be
with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.”
Theodore Roosevelt

Draw upon the pride and knowledge of our predecessors before us and revel in the
knowledge that you walk among greatness. The profession that you have chosen is one of
greatness and pride. The image that you create will not only affect you but the entire
image of us all. Take pride in yourself and in your profession. Walk tall and revel in the
path of greatness that our forefathers cut into society. Train as if your life depends upon it;
because, someday it just might.

© Tracy E. Barnhart 2008 3