life in army essay

Essay on Life of Soldiers for Students and Children

500 words on essay on life of soldiers for students and children.

Soldiers are one of the greatest assets of any country. They are the guardians of the nation and protect its citizens at all costs. Moreover, they are a very selfless lot who put the interest of the country above their personal interest. A soldier’s job is one of the toughest things to do in the world. They are supposed to fulfill challenging duties and possess exceptional qualities to become a great soldier. However, their lives are very tough. Nonetheless, they always fulfill their duties despite the hardships.

Duties of Soldiers

A country sleeps peacefully as the soldier performs its duties. The first and foremost duty of a soldier is to serve their country without any selfish motive. A person usually joins the army out of love for his motherland and to protect it. Even though they know they will have to face numerous problems, they still do so for their country.

Furthermore, a soldier safeguard’s the honour of his country. They do not step back in the face of adversaries instead they give there best. It does not matter if they have to give their life for the country, they are willing to do so happily. Besides, soldiers also have to be alert at all times. He is never off duty, whether he is sleeping or on the battlefield, he stays vigilant throughout.

Most importantly, a soldier’s duty is to maintain the peace and harmony of the country. He takes on the responsibility of ensuring a safe environment for all. In addition to guarding the border, they are also always there in case of emergencies. They learn how to handle every situation carefully whether it is a terrorist attack or natural calamity. In other words, the local authorities need them to bring the situation under control.

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Challenges Faced by Soldiers

Being a soldier is not easy, in fact, it is one of the most challenging things to do. Their lives are full of hardships and challenges which no ordinary person can survive. Firstly, they spend a great deal of time away from their loved ones. It disturbs them emotionally and they do not even get any holidays. Even in festivals, they are busy safeguarding the nation.

Similarly, soldiers have to undergo rigorous training to become fit to fight battles. It becomes exhausting and physically challenging, but they still go on. To make it worse, they do not even get an adequate amount of supply to lead a normal life. Sometimes, the food rationing is low, the other times they get posted in remote areas without any signal.

Subsequently, they also have to make do in the harshest of weather conditions. It does not matter if it is scorching hot or chilling cold, they have to be out on the battlefield. Similarly, they do not even get enough bulletproof equipment which will keep them safe. Thus, we see what a challenging life our soldiers lead to protect their country.

Q.1 What are the duties of a soldier?

A.1 A soldier has many duties to perform. He has to work selflessly for the betterment of the country. They ensure that peace and harmony are maintained throughout the nation. Moreover, they also remain vigilant at all times and render help in case of emergency situations.

Q.2 What challenges do soldiers face?

A.2 A soldier has to face a lot of challenges in their lives. They separate from their family and spend most of their time away from them. Further, they undergo hard training to achieve success. Sometimes, they don’t even get enough supplies to make ends meet. Moreover, no matter the weather, they have to survive in rough situations.

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Life in the Army of the United States

Life in the army is much more than drilling on the parade grown and firing the musket. It is a unique transformational experience that teaches an individual how to fit into a robotic system of rules and regulations with higher values instilled in him during training. A new recruit has to spend nine week at Army Boot Camp where most of the time is spent in marching, drill, ceremonies and lots of standing in formation. There are seven core values with which every soldier in the army should be familiar with: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. These core values provide a framework for behavior within the army, behavior on the personal level and behavior on an interpersonal level as well. One of the most attractive features of life in the army is the special bond that develops as a result of working together on tough missions and the heroism involved in the work. Life in the army is tough and challenging but the respectability and honor associated with it makes it all worthwhile.

The army has a very strong organizational culture that includes the need for personal achievement, adherence to institutional leadership, sense of duty and accomplishment, social conscience and conservatism. Women in the army work under high pressure and need to be highly goal oriented to survive. Younger soldiers are marked by their strong desire for challenges, expression, sexual permissiveness, networking, etc. However, as they age, they desire greater autonomy, have a stronger sense of duty and ethics and become more pragmatic in approach. Generally, soldiers value combat roles that means defending their country. However, more recently soldiers are being increasingly deployed to fight terrorism in foreign countries. Life is all the more challenging when army personnel are deputed to serve in hot desert countries like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Life in the army is stressful. The training programs are physically very demanding and mentally challenging as well. Army basic training is very physically taxing and a person needs to be fit in order to survive a boot camp and well trained to do running, push-ups and sit-ups. With the goal of making them tough and ready to cope with any kind of crisis, they are deliberately put through strenuous training. This are more difficult for women military personnel who have a need to prove their worth in what is generally perceived as a ‘man’s area’. They also have to shoulder a balance between work and career and are sometimes forced to endure sexual harassment at work. All of this causes stress and tension among the soldiers who resort to alcohol and drugs for relaxation. Sometimes, the drinking habit becomes addictive and abusive, creating bitterness in the working arena and also at home (Stith, 1).

To reduce some of the stress associated with life in the army, some policy changes are being initiated. Traditionally, American soldiers lead a single life within the army. They were barred from sharing bed with sleeping partners in war zones. But these rules are being relaxed since May 2006. According to a news article in MSNBC, the Army is allowing scores of husband-and-wife soldiers to live and sleep together in the war zone and it is said that the policy change is aimed at “preserving marriages, boosting morale and perhaps bolstering re-enlistment rates at a time when the military is struggling to fill its ranks five years into the fighting” (MSNBC, 1).

During war, soldiers in the army are forced to see much violence, death and horror events. As a result, most of the soldiers tend to suffer from stress related disorders. Some of these disorders may be dangerous enough to include panic, rage, uncontrolled sharking and temporary paralysis and can cause lead to broken marriages, suicides and psychiatric breakdowns. According to a Pentagon survey, about 70% of the soldiers in the army bounce back to normal life once the war period is over. But about 20% of them will suffer from mental distress. Due to such problems, an increasing number of soldiers U.S. combat troops are taking daily doses of antidepressants to calm nerves (Thompson, 1). But according to FDA findings, antidepressants can increase the risk of suicide in children and adolescents especially young adults ages 18 to 24, the age group that forms the majority in the army. This probably explains the increasing number of suicides in the army.

Life in the army is varied and each one’s experience varies. But the instilment of the core values in a person, along with the basic training brings soldiers together in a special sense of camaraderie that is unmatched elsewhere. The stress of soldiers in the combat zone is becoming a serious issue with more and more youngsters being deployed in offshore regions to fight terrorism. Some measures are already being taken to counter the increasing stress levels of life in the army, but there is a need for more measures to be taken to make life in the army truly an appealing career choice for youngsters.

Bibliography

MSNBC (2008). Army lets soldiers take ‘I do’ to Iraq war zone. Web.

Stith, Kevin (2008). Alcohol Abuse in the Army. Ezine Article. Web.

Thompson, Mark (2008). America’s Medicated Army. Time CNN, Web.

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• Essay on Life of Soldiers

English Essay on Life of Soldiers

The Soldier is a term used to describe someone who has enlisted in the military. Soldiers typically have a rank, which is determined by how long they have been serving and what their specialty or position in the Army is. Writing an Essay on Soldiers can be difficult because there are many different aspects of the topic that you could write about - we'll help you with some ideas.

The word "Soldier" comes from Middle English: solder (13th century), meaning one who serves as a Soldier, from Medieval Latin solidarity (12th century) "one who makes up for another's loss," a derivative of Latin solver "to set free."

We will discuss Different Ways to write an Essay about Soldiers:

Know about Soldiers- It is important to know a good amount about Soldiers before you write your Essay. Research the different roles, ranks, and duties of a Soldier in the Army to have a better understanding when writing an Essay on this topic.

Discuss the history of Soldiers- Writing about the history of Soldiers is a great way to show how they have evolved over time. Discussing famous battles and wars that Soldiers have fought in can be very interesting and informative for your Essay.

Talk about the experience of being a Soldier- This can be an interesting perspective to write about in your Essay. Discuss what it is like to be in the Army and what someone's day-to-day Life as a Soldier is like.

The effects of war on Soldiers and their families- The effects of war on Soldiers and their families are very serious because it can change their lives forever. Every person is affected differently by war and being martyred for their country.

What they do/what rank they have- It is important to know what Soldiers do and what their rank is. This can give your Essay more depth as you talk about this topic in detail. What makes a good Soldier- Every military branch has different requirements for someone to be considered an effective or qualified Soldier, such as physical health and fitness, mental toughness, leadership skills, discipline, ability to work well with others - the list goes on.

How long they've served- One of the important aspects to know is how long someone has served for. This can give you a better perspective on why they have the rank that they do and how it is earned over time.

Famous battles/wars fought by Soldiers- Soldiers have fought in many major battles throughout history. Discussing famous wars and the Soldiers who were involved can be very interesting for your Essay.

What it's like being in the Army- It is important to be aware of what it is like to be in the Army. Discussing what someone's day-to-day Life as a Soldier might look like can help you paint a picture for your Essay.

The effects of war on Soldiers and their families- Discussing the effects of war on Soldiers and their families can be very interesting for your Essay. Every person is affected differently by war and being martyred for their country.

  The different psychological effects of war on Soldiers- Including the inner psychological effects of war on Soldiers can be a very powerful addition to your Essay. It can give the reader a better understanding of what Soldiers experience when they are in battle or come back from war.

  The different physical effects of war on Soldiers- Including the physical effects of war on Soldiers can also be an interesting topic to discuss in your Essay. Things such as injuries, diseases, and death are all common among Soldiers who have fought in wars.

  How technology has changed the role of the Soldier- Discussing how technology has changed the role of the Soldier is a great way to show how it has evolved over time. Technology has played a huge role in changing how wars are and how armies operate.

  What makes a good Soldier- There is no exact definition of what qualities make up a good Soldier. However, military branches do look for certain traits when looking at potential recruits; things like physical health and fitness, mental toughness.

These are just some ideas to get you started on writing your Essay about Soldiers. Remember to do your own research and come up with a thesis statement that you feel strongly about before starting to write.

One important role of the Soldier is carrying out orders and following commands given by officers. As a result, discipline and obedience are key values for Soldiers. In order for an Army to function effectively, it is essential that all Soldiers are on the same page and can work together as a team.

Another important responsibility of Soldiers is protecting their country and its people. This often means putting themselves in danger in order to defend against enemies or harmful threats.

Soldiers also play an important role in humanitarian efforts. They may provide aid during natural disasters or help with reconstruction efforts after a war has ended.

Lastly, many people wonder what it is like to be a Soldier. This can be a difficult question to answer because everyone's experience is different. However, it is possible to get an idea by discussing some of the duties and responsibilities that Soldiers have as well as the challenges they face while serving their country.

FAQs on Essay on Life of Soldiers

1. How much time does it take to write an Essay on Soldiers? How long should my Essay be?

This varies depending on the length of your Essay and how much research you do. However, it is typically best to allow yourself a few days to write it so that you can take your time and make sure it is well-written. For most high school or college classes, Essays are between 500 and 800 words in length, but this can vary depending on your instructor's guidelines for each assignment.

2. What are some good sources for information about Soldiers?

There are many different sources of information on Soldiers, both online and in print. Some good places to start include history books, biographies of famous Soldiers, and articles from news outlets or military journals. You can also find interviews with current or former Soldiers online.

3. Is there a specific thesis statement that I should focus on when writing my Essay?

Your thesis statement should be something that you feel strongly about and that provides a general idea of the main points you plan to discuss in your Essay. It should be broad enough that it can encompass all of these ideas, but specific enough that they are organized and cohesive throughout your paper.

4. What are some good transition words that I can use to connect my ideas?

Transitions help your reader understand where one idea ends and the next begins, so it is important to choose ones that fit well with what you have written. Some common transitional words include "moreover," "furthermore," "however," and "nevertheless." A helpful strategy for choosing a word is to look at the first letter of each sentence in your paper; these often correspond to a word that should follow or precede them. You may also want to try using semicolons instead of commas if you think they will work better.

5. What type of Essay structure do I need? Can I outline my paragraphs before writing anything?

It is often helpful to write an outline before you start writing your Essay, but this isn't required. You may want to try both and see what works best for you. An argumentative or persuasive paper usually has the following structure:

• Introduction - This should include a thesis statement that states your main argument and provides some background information about it. The introduction should also explain why the reader should care about the topic or how they will be impacted by it in some way.
• Body Paragraphs - These are where most of your arguments come from so make sure to have at least three supporting points here based on research or personal experience with Soldiers/the military etc... Use transition words between paragraphs as well as at the end of each paragraph.
• Conclusion - This is where you restate your main points and tie everything together with a final thought about the topic or how things could change in the future based on your argument.

You should also include citations at the end of your paper that correspond to any information you used from outside sources (i.e., books, websites, etc...). These should be formatted using MLA style for academic papers but APA style can work as well depending on which one you were instructed to use by your teacher or professor.

6. What is the difference between a civilian and a soldier?

A person who is not in the police, armed forces, or fire department is termed as a civilian. A person who serves in an army is called a Soldier. Civilians live in a country doing their normal job whereas Soldiers are considered to be the pride of the country and their job is to protect the country and safeguard the people whenever there is any problem.

7. What traits do soldiers have?

A Soldier is not a person who is just in uniform. A true Soldier forms specific character traits over the years which are Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Courage to fight for the country whenever required.

Army Leadership Definition

This essay about the United States Army’s definition of leadership examines how leadership is conceptualized within a military context. It defines leadership as the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to both accomplish missions and improve the organization. Key aspects include the distinction between influence and authority, and the emphasis on providing purpose to understand the ‘why’ behind actions, clear direction to minimize confusion during operations, and motivation to inspire and maintain morale. The essay also discusses the Army’s rigorous leadership development programs that aim to cultivate resilience and adaptability, alongside a strong moral compass guided by the Army’s core values. Overall, the essay highlights how the Army’s leadership model integrates tactical execution with ethical considerations, creating leaders equipped to handle both the physical and moral challenges of their roles.

How it works

The United States Army’s delineation of leadership is exacting and context-driven, sculpted by the idiosyncratic demands of military duty. As per the Army’s tenets, leadership constitutes “the process of influencing individuals by furnishing purpose, guidance, and impetus to achieve the mission and enhance the organization.” This conceptualization is not merely theoretical but reflects a pragmatic approach forged by the imperatives of an institution where the stakes encompass survival, triumph, and efficiency in exceedingly demanding circumstances.

This elucidation accentuates several pivotal facets.

Primarily, leadership in the Army revolves around influence rather than dominion. This distinction is pivotal because while authority can mandate compliance, influence cultivates willingness and zeal among soldiers, pivotal for cohesion and morale in arduous contexts. Secondly, the Army delineates three vital elements that leaders must furnish: purpose, guidance, and impetus. Each facet serves a distinct role in ensuring that collective endeavors are synchronized and efficacious.

Purpose assumes paramount importance as it confers soldiers with a rationale for their endeavors, especially consequential in combat scenarios where comprehension of the ‘why’ behind a mission can profoundly impact its execution. Purpose aids soldiers in discerning the broader picture and their role therein, augmenting their dedication to the assigned task.

Guidance encompasses the transmission of lucid, succinct, and actionable directives. In the military milieu, where operations can be intricate and fluid, the capacity to dispense clear guidance ensures that everyone comprehends what must be accomplished, how it fits into the overarching strategy, and the anticipated outcomes. Effective guidance mitigates confusion and enhances the likelihood of mission success.

Impetus pertains to the leader’s role in galvanizing and inspiring soldiers to persevere amidst obstacles and adversities. Motivation in the Army milieu often hinges on instilling confidence in the team’s capabilities, fostering a robust sense of camaraderie, and safeguarding the well-being of subordinates. It also entails the leader’s empathy and adeptness in connecting with their soldiers on a personal level, comprehending their needs, apprehensions, and aspirations.

Moreover, the Army accords considerable value to the cultivation of leadership proficiencies. Its pedagogical initiatives are rigorous, amalgamating physical trials with cognitive and emotional growth. These initiatives are tailored to instill a leadership ethos that is adaptable, resilient, and efficacious under duress. The Army’s methodology acknowledges that leadership is not innate but can be nurtured through exposure, education, and introspection.

Additionally, the Army’s leadership framework encompasses a moral facet, where leaders are enjoined to exemplify and uphold the Army’s foundational values: fealty, obligation, deference, selflessness, honor, rectitude, and personal valor. These values are not mere rhetoric but are expected to manifest in a leader’s decision-making paradigm and interactions with others. The ethical dimension underscores the import of moral conduct in preserving the trust and esteem of subordinates, indispensable in a hierarchical and discipline-oriented establishment like the Army.

In summation, the Army’s characterization of leadership encapsulates a fusion of influence, accountability, and ethical rectitude, tailored to address the exigencies of military duty. This holistic perspective transcends the mere execution of tasks; it encompasses inspiring and nurturing the individuals tasked with these duties, fostering a sense of obligation and respect within the ranks, and preparing leaders to confront both the physical and ethical vicissitudes of their roles. The Army’s model of leadership, with its emphasis on purpose, guidance, and motivation, furnishes a robust framework not solely for military efficacy but also for leadership preeminence in broader milieus.

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Work-Life Balance in the Military Research Paper

The purpose of this research is to establish the main concerns work-life balance in most of the organizations and fields of employment such as the military, business enterprise, health care facilities just to mention but a few (Eales, 2010, p.1 ).

The research looks at how workers are able to maintain a balance between work and their personal life without limiting the concentration of one. It further goes down to establish the importance of having a proper work-life balance to the employee as well as the employer and the organization at large (Bloom et al, 2006, p. 154).

The impact of work-life balance issues on current organizational behavior and future goals are also looked at to establish the positive or negative impacts that could result after proper and poor work-life balance respectively. Last but not least, the research ends by a critical analysis of ways through which an organization can pro-actively address the issue to minimize the potential of negative impact.

Introduction

Employment is one of the biggest challenges in life when it comes to balancing the two. According to studies conducted in the year 2005 by a research scientist by the name Lowe showed that 6o percent of the surveyed population had conflict between family and work (Parkes and Langford, 2008, p. 270).

This therefore shows that most people are facing the challenge of correlating work and family issues. However, there are those fields of employment that increase the chances of conflict between the two. Some of these include people working in the military, health care facilities, mines, manufacturing industries just to mention but a few.

The reason behind this is the fact that most of the aforementioned working institutions require a lot of devotion especially in terms of time (Parkes and Langford, 2008, p. 272).

Take for example a military soldier who goes on a peace mission for a period of three or even more years or on the other hand a medical practitioner who is called for an emergency case at the health care facility during odd hours of the night. In both cases, it calls for a good balance between work and family one of the two will be greatly affected.

Work-life balance is therefore the act of giving family or work issues proper priority so as to establish a clear balance between the two. It can thus be deduced that work-life balance is an important issue in the contemporary business environment responsible for the reward and fulfillment of a healthy career.

This paper is therefore an in-depth analysis of the importance of work-life balance and the impact it has on current organizational behavior and future goals as well as a discussion of how the organization can proactively address the issue so as to minimize negative impacts.

Work-life balance in the Military

Work-life balance entails a broad spectrum of many concerns about family and personal life such as leisure, health, spiritual development among others. The military on the other hand is among the many fields of employment where some of these personal life experiences are rarely achieved if any.

For a long time, military workers have been having the difficulty of balancing their life in the military and that of their families and even their own (Britt et al, 2006, p. 89). The main reason behind this is the fact that, life in the military is itself of its own given the terms and conditions accorded to it.

For example, the military is one place where a worker will stay for a very long time away from their homes or rather families. At the same time the military is prone to many risks such that those who work in the military have to make a lot of sacrifice to accept to work there.

In most cases, the decision to join the military is usually a crucial hence requiring discussion among the family members. This is because of the simple of the devotion and sacrifice that the individual as well as his or her family should make to allow them to join the military.

The issue of balancing life and work in the military comes about due to the concerns of time, risks involved among other factors. Time is however the most conflicting issue because they have to choose between spending time in the military cruises or family.

If one chooses to spend their time in the military, their personal life and that of the family is neglected. Cases of fathers in the military who have come back home to find their children fully grown up without even a single trace of who their father is, are not any knew to the society.

At the same time, women in the military have ended up being spinsters or having marital issues because of they lack time for the family. Other than time, the numerous risks of being prone to dangers of being killed or hurt are also an issue of concern (Parkes and Langford, 2008, p. 278).

Families that have their members in the military are always expectant of anything like, they may come back dead or alive. In addition to this, the stress the military workers face during their service is a possible cause of the suicide cases rampant in the military. Thus, military entails make a lot of sacrifices which at times are not worth making because of the possible outcomes.

As part of my research, I had a lengthy counseling session with a senior enlisted soldier who explained to me that he had fully committed his life to his career in the military while neglecting that of his family. He explained to me how he had difficulty balancing the two since work in the military was very demanding. He was very sorry, due to the fact that his career has separated him from his family such that he rarely spent any time with them thus creating a poor relationship with his wife and children.

I specifically explained to him the benefits of balancing the two since both were important part of his life. For one, I explained to him the way he could possibly achieve a balance between his life in the military and that of his family. This would be by for example spending as much time possible with his family during his leave periods or off duties.

Frequent communication back at home while at work would create a feeling of unity and oneness despite the distance involved (Matsch, 2010, p. 78). Last but not least would be the issue of proper care for his family to make them feel that someone was still responsible for them. All this I said because I had heard of several spouses to the military workers who had been neglected hence leading miserable lives.

The subject of balancing life not only entails taking care of the family life but also that of the work itself (Holden and Renshaw, 2004, 104). Workers ought to be responsible enough to take care of their jobs by spending the required time allocated and doing the work perfectly.

For example, a military worker who decides to stay at home with their family instead of going to their work place will not be properly balancing the two and will be prone to be sacked. Thus work should be respected while at the same time having healthy family time.

Importance of work-life balance

Work-life balance has been a conflicting issue having impacts on the employers, employees, family and the society at large (Abercromby, 2007, p.1).

As mentioned above, workers are having the problem handling their responsibilities in work places, homes and even volunteering programs for the society. However, it is possible to balance the two thus having a comfortable. The balance can be achieved through the following,

• Proper time management whereby work and family time is clearly distinguished without having to encroach to the time set for a specific duty.
• For those who go home on daily basis, it is important that they do not take home work assignments as this will prevent them from having adequate family time.
• Dealing with the issues and concerns of family and work separately such that the stresses at work do not affect the family life and those from home do not affect the output at work (Martin, 2011, p.1).

These are just but few ways through which general work-life balance can be achieved.

Despite of the difficulty involved, a balance between the two is very important because of the following.

The most important benefit of achieving work-life balance is that of being flexible to comfortably handle obligations (Eales, 2010, p.1). This is whereby, a worker will be very effective at work and at the same time his or her family life is good. At the same time, Effectiveness in work is achieved when the worker has had some time off from the work duties.

That way workers would be able to meet their targets since they have had relaxation time thus coming back to work with high stimuli. The workers will also be able to have quality time with their families as well as having time to develop their personal skills and hobbies something which is healthy for the mind as well as providing satisfaction (Eales, 2010, p.1).

Impact of work-life balance issues on current organizational behavior and future goals

The human resource departments of most business organizations have the obligation of making sure that their employees maintain a proper work-balance. The issue of work-life balance of the employees has many impacts on the current organizational behavior and its future goals (Kalliath and Brough, 2008, p. 325).

This is because an organization that fosters a good balance between work and the personal life of their employees enjoys the benefits of having high rated and qualified employees. The positive impacts of employees who have a balance of work and life could include;

• Good reputation of the organization in the society. This is to mean that the society will be applauded for the great job they have done to initiate their workers positively. The organization will also be praised for producing all rounded and effective workers who are able to have a clear cut and control of the work life and personal or family life.
• Equality of time – The fact that the workers will have the capability of balancing the time they spend at work and life issues, they will in the long-run acquire essential skills that will be applied in the work environment. Take for example an accountant who is burdened with the office work as well as external work such as audit meetings. For people without the skill of proper balance of duties, they may end up failing to attend the audit meetings which are a crucial part of the accountant’s job. Therefore an organization that has workers that are able to effectively spend their time will be higher on the ladder unlike those without such employees.
• Satisfaction- Job satisfaction encompasses a number of things. If employees are given time to be with their families as well as handle their private life matters, they will have the feeling of job satisfaction (Parkes and Langford, 2008, p. 273). Thus, if employees achieve satisfaction in the work place they will be highly productive hence leading to the attainment of the future goals of the organization.
• Measure of control- Having proper work-life balance is an indication of the ability to have control of even the pressing matters. Thus, this indication will be in turn reflected in the work of the employees which will have much contribution to the achievement of organizational goals.

On the other hand, organizations that offer their employees with the opportunity to have a balance between work life and personal life will not be practicing good human resource practices thus will have negative impacts as a result. Some of these impacts include;

• Poor reputation- Most fields of employment that do not provide a proper work-life balance for their employees usually end up having a bad reputation in the society despite the positive things they might be doing. For instance, despite the life saving assistance that most health care facilities give to the public, they still end up receiving a bad reputation in the society just because their workers spend more time in the facilities unlike at home with their families. This could in the long-run affect the aims of the organization.
• Stress- If employees fail to have a balance between their work life and personal life; they may end up experiencing stressful moments. They may experience stress either at work or at home whereby their family members and especially their spouses may retaliate due to the neglecting they get due to the worker’s preference of work to family. This may affect the productivity of the workers hence affecting the organization as well.
• Burn out- Hard work is complemented but hard work without rest leads to burn out of the workers. If the organization does not provide room for the employees to have some time on off duties, they will experience burn out. Burn out is one of the main causes of poor or low productivity of workers which in the long-run will lead to poor performance of the organization thus not achieving the set organizational goals.

How an organization can pro-actively address the issue to minimize the potential of negative impact

As per the negative impacts evidenced above, all organizations will be working hard to ensure that their employees are maintaining a proper work-life balance. This is because the negative impacts have detrimental effects on the achievement of the set organizational goals (Mercer, 2004, p.95). Therefore, organizations can pro-actively address the issue of work-life balance so as to minimize the potential of incurring the negative impacts.

This can be achieved through a number of ways including;

• Provision Conducive working environment: As seen above in the case of the military, the working environment matters a lot to the employees. Therefore, if at all the organizations want to minimize the potentials of negative impacts as a result of work-life balance, they should be able to provide their employees with a conducive environment to work in. This way, the employees will increase their productivity to benefit the organization. A conducive work environment involves off-duties, rewards, leaves, trips just to mention but a few.
• Health and well-being- An organization should yearn to providing their employees with god health and well being so that they can minimize the potential of incurring negative impacts. For example, if workers are subjected to health hazards during their duty of service, they may have problems balancing their work and personal life.
• Avoid burn out- Employers should be on the watch so that their employees do not experience burn out. They can do this by making that their employees are not overworked but given adequate time to relax which they can use for personal and family matters.
• Effective leadership- Other than the aforementioned factors, the management of human resource should be done by effective leaders (Eales, 2010, p.1). Effective leadership ensures that the employees are properly managed towards the achievement of the goals of the organizations without being biased on the workers. By effective leadership providing good work-life balance means that they will be minimizing the potential of experiencing the negative impacts associated with poor work life balance.

The above discussion has been an enlightenment of the issue that comes in hand with work life balance of employees in organizations.

As mentioned, despite the fact that all organizations can be reasons for poor balance between life and work, there are those that have the highest degree of such occurrences. These are for example the military and health care facilities regardless of the great contribution they provide to the society.

The contemporary business is also prone to issue of work life balance just like most of the other organizations. It has also been discussed that the way a worker manages their work life and personal life has great impacts on the organization as well as themselves. Proper work and life balance has many advantages to those of achieving organizational goals and should thus be encouraged.

Given the possible effects of poor balance of work and personal life, the human resource departments of organizations should ensure that they practice the aforementioned proactive measures so as to minimize the effects which have an impact on the organizational objectives. Thus it will be advisable that workers are educated on proper work and personal life balance so as to attain the organizational objectives.

Reference List

Abercromby, M. (2007). A report on the Importance of Work-Life Balance . Web.

Bloom, N., T. Kretschmer, and J. Van Reenen. (2006). Work life balance, management practices and productivity. London: Centre for Economic Performance.

Britt, T. Adler, B. and Castro, A. (2006). Military Life: Military performance. ABC-CLO.

Eales, J. (2010). The Importance of Work/ Life Balance. Web.

Holden, R. and Renshaw, B. (2004). Balancing Life and Work. Dorling Kindersley.

Kalliath, T. and Brough, P. (2008) Work-life balance: A review of the meaning of the balance construct. Journal of Management & Organization 14(3): 323-327.

Martin, J. (2011). The Importance of Maintaining the Right Work-life Balance. Web.

Matsch, M. et al. (2010).Perceptions of Work-Life Balance Among Military Law Enforcement Personnel and their Spouses. Journal of Police and Criminology Physiology. Volume 24.

Mercer, S. (2004). Extending working life: UK experiences. London: International Association for the Study of Insurance Economics .

Parkes, P. and Langford, P. (2008) Work-life balance or work-life alignment? A test of the importance of work-life balance for employee engagement and intention to stay in organizations. Journal of Management & Organization 14(3): 267-284.

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IvyPanda. (2024, January 9). Work-Life Balance in the Military. https://ivypanda.com/essays/work-life-balance-in-the-military/

"Work-Life Balance in the Military." IvyPanda , 9 Jan. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/work-life-balance-in-the-military/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'Work-Life Balance in the Military'. 9 January.

IvyPanda . 2024. "Work-Life Balance in the Military." January 9, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/work-life-balance-in-the-military/.

1. IvyPanda . "Work-Life Balance in the Military." January 9, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/work-life-balance-in-the-military/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Work-Life Balance in the Military." January 9, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/work-life-balance-in-the-military/.

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Essay on Indian Army in 500+ Words

• Updated on  
• Dec 28, 2023

Essay on Indian Army: The Indian army is the bravest and second largest army in the world with a total of 1.23 million soldiers. The Ministry of Defence of the Government of India is the governing body for the Indian Armed Forces. Commanded by the President of India as the supreme commander and commanded by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), the Indian Army fulfils the aim of safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. 

General K.M. Cariappa, the first Indian commander-in-chief of the Indian Army, replaced British Commanding General Sir Francis Butcher and formed the Territorial Army in 1949, transforming the British Army into a national one. 

From the date of replacement, the Indian Army didn’t look back. Whether in signing any pact with a country across the border or safeguarding the nation from internal or external threats, the Indian Army always marked success. It successfully maintained peace and security within the country’s frame. 

Also Read: How to Join Indian Army?

Essay on Indian Army in 500+ words in English

The Indian Army is a forward-pushing force, embodied with the spirit of courage, discipline, and selfless service. With a rich history and a firm commitment to protecting the nation, the Indian Army holds a revered place in the hearts of citizens.

The soldiers in the Indian Army come from different parts of our diverse nation, representing its unity. They wear uniforms with pride, displaying not just their commitment but also the diverse weave of our country. 

The Indian Army’s significance extends beyond borders and our everyday lives. Whether protecting us from external threats or assisting during natural disasters, the Indian Army is always there. Their bravery and selflessness inspire us and instil a sense of security.

Historical Significance

The roots of the Indian Army can be traced back to the British Indian Army, which played an essential role in various conflicts, including World War 1 and World War 2 . 

The post-independence era marked the establishment of the Indian Army as the backbone of the country’s defence, safeguarding its borders and preserving its sovereignty. 

Remarkable chapters in its history include the 1971 Indo-Pak War , which led to the creation of Bangladesh, and the Kargil War in 1999 , where the Army displayed exceptional courage in the face of adversity.

Organisational Structure

There are a total of 27 Regiments in the Indian Army. Popular regiments of the Indian Army are Rajputana Rifles, Dogra, Jat, Sikh and Bihar Regiment, Maratha Light Infantry and Gorkha Rifles. All these regiments are special in their respective fields. 

From the infantry units stationed at the borders to the artillery units providing firepower, the harmonious collaboration of these components ensures the nation’s security. The hierarchical structure and extensive training programs reflect the dedication to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.

Modern Challenges and Adaptations

In the modern scenario, the Indian Army faces various challenges, ranging from traditional threats along the borders to unconventional warfare and counter-terrorism operations. 

Embracing the need for modernization, the Army actively incorporates advanced technology, weaponry, and communication systems. Collaborations with international defence partners contribute to staying abreast of evolving military capabilities. Moreover, the Indian Army’s active participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions showcases its commitment to global security and stability.

Values and Sacrifices

At the heart of the Indian Army lie values that go beyond the battlefield. Discipline, integrity, and selfless service are ingrained in the importance of every soldier. The life of a soldier demands immeasurable sacrifices, often involving extended periods away from families in challenging terrains. 

The seriousness of a soldier’s duty oath is illustrated in their ultimate sacrifice. These sacrifices can easily resonate nationwide, reminding us of the dedication and courage that define the Indian Army.

Humanitarian Contributions

While the primary role of the Indian Army is defence, its impact extends beyond borders. Actively engaged in disaster relief operations, the Army emerges as a lifeline during natural calamities. Whether rescuing people from flooded areas or providing medical assistance in remote regions, the humanitarian endeavours of the Army underscore its role as the nation’s protector, both in times of war and peace.

In conclusion, the Indian Army is not merely a military force; it represents national pride, resilience, and sacrifice. From the battlefields to peacekeeping missions and humanitarian efforts, the Army’s influence is profound and multifaceted. 

As citizens, we must honour and respect the commitment of the brave men and women who serve in the Indian Army, ensuring that their legacy of valour and patriotism endures for generations to come.

Also Read: How to Become a Para Commando Officer?

The Indian Army is like a protective shield for our country. Brave soldiers in uniform work together to keep us safe. They come from different parts of India, showing our unity. The army helps during wars, and natural disasters, and maintains peace within our borders. Our soldiers are strong and dedicated, always ready to face challenges. Families of soldiers also play an important role, supporting them with love and courage. The Indian Army has a rich history of bravery and sacrifice. They use advanced technology to stay prepared for any situation. The army not only defends but also contributes to nation-building. We salute the Indian Army for their selfless service and commitment to our nation.

The Indian Army is important for ensuring national security, maintaining peace within the country, contributing to disaster relief, representing unity in diversity, and symbolising discipline and sacrifice.  

The father of the Indian Army is Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. He was a great leader who played a key role in shaping the army.

The Indian Army is really big, with more than a million active soldiers. It’s one of the largest armies globally, showing our strong commitment to keeping our nation secure.

The motto of the Indian Army is “Service Before Self.” This means soldiers put the nation and its people first, showing their dedication and willingness to sacrifice for us.

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Deepika Joshi

Deepika Joshi is an experienced content writer with expertise in creating educational and informative content. She has a year of experience writing content for speeches, essays, NCERT, study abroad and EdTech SaaS. Her strengths lie in conducting thorough research and ananlysis to provide accurate and up-to-date information to readers. She enjoys staying updated on new skills and knowledge, particulary in education domain. In her free time, she loves to read articles, and blogs with related to her field to further expand her expertise. In personal life, she loves creative writing and aspire to connect with innovative people who have fresh ideas to offer.

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Sudan’s military fends off an attack by paramilitary forces on a major Darfur city

CAIRO (AP) — Sudan’s military and allied armed groups have staved off an attack by a paramilitary group and Arab militias on a major city in the western region of Darfur , officials and residents said on Saturday.

The attack on Friday was the latest by the Arab-dominated Rapid Support Forces against el-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur province, where hundreds of thousands of people are sheltering, many of them having fled fighting elsewhere in Darfur.

The RSF, which has been at war with the military for more than a year, has built forces up in recent months to wrestle control of el-Fasher, the last city that is still held by the military in the sprawling Darfur region.

Sudan’s conflict began in April last year when soaring tensions between the leaders of the military and the RSF exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum and elsewhere in the country.

The conflict wrecked the country and pushed its population to the brink of famine. It killed more than 14,000 people and wounded thousands more amid reports of widespread sexual violence and other atrocities that rights groups say amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Darfur witnessed some of the worst atrocities in the war, with the RSF taking control of many cities and towns across the region. Human Rights Watch said in a report last week that RSF attacks constituted a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the region’s non-Arab population.

The RSF and their allies launched the attack on el-Fasher’s eastern side early Friday and clashed with military forces and other armed groups defending the city, said resident Amany Mohamed. She said the military and allied forces have repelled the attack.

“Yesterday was a very difficult day,” she said over the phone on Saturday. “There were fierce clashes that lasted for six hours.”

Another resident and an activist, Ibtisam al-Doum, fled with her family to a school-turned-shelter on the southern side of the city during heavy fighting on Friday. She said she saw hundreds of people escaping on foot to safer areas.

“The situation is catastrophic. We don’t know when this will end,” she said, speaking from the Jiser al-Jinan shelter. “What’s happening is senseless.”

The military-led camp and the RSF blamed each other for initiating Friday’s fighting.

Local media reported heavy clashes in parts of the city including its power planet. Footage on social media platforms showed army troops and allied forces celebrating and captured fighters in RSF uniform being paraded in the streets.

“Reports of intensifying clashes in the city are deeply alarming,” Martin Griffiths, the United Nations’ relief chief, wrote on X and called for warning parties to de-escalate. “The people of Darfur need more food, not more fighting,” he said.

The International Organization for Migration said the military launched airstrikes Saturday on the RSF positions in the northern and eastern parts of el-Fasher. It said Friday’s fighting had forced about 170 households, or about 800 people, from their homes.

The United Nations last month said the RSF had encircled the city and warned an attack would have “devastating consequences” on its 800,000 people.

The RSF and allied Arab militias have launched a series of attacks el-Fasher and its surroundings in recent weeks, taking several villages on the northern side.

Such attacks “resulted in horrific reports of violence, including sexual violence, children injured and killed, homes set on fire and destruction of critical civilian supplies and infrastructure,” Catherine Russell, executive director of UNICEF, said earlier this month.

“The fighting and growing fear of ethnically motivated violence has driven many families to overcrowded displacement camps such as Zamzam camp and informal gathering sites in and around el-Fasher city,” she said.

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Home — Essay Samples — Government & Politics — Army — The Importance of Being on Time in The Military

The Importance of Being on Time in The Military

• Categories: Army Discipline

About this sample

Words: 977 |

Published: Feb 12, 2019

Words: 977 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

• Being on time shows reliability.
• Being on time shows discipline.
• Being on time shows accountability.
• Being on time avoids disciplinary action.

Works Cited

• Army Regulation 600-20, Army Command Policy. (2016). Department of the Army. https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN17424_R600_20_Admin_FINAL.pdf
• Baldwin, J. (2018). Why Punctuality Matters in the Military. RallyPoint.
• Bell, C. M., Taylor, D. L., & Kozlowski, S. W. J. (2018). Enhancing Army Basic Combat Training: Identifying and Mitigating Attrition Risk Factors (No. RR-2244-A). RAND Corporation.
• Davenport, T. (2018). Being Late for Work: Reasons and Solutions. Chron.
• Duffy, C. J., & DiTommaso, E. (2018). Military Training and the Importance of Time Management. JOPERD: The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 89(9), 8-9.
• Military.com. (2018). Military Time Conversion. https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/military-time-conversion.html
• Seppala, E. (2017). The Importance of Punctuality. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/feeling-it/201706/the-importance-punctuality
• United States Army. (2020). Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks Warrior Skills Level 1. Department of the Army.
• United States Army Europe. (2019). Soldier’s Guide to Professional Ethics. Department of the Army.
• U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. (2019). The Army Leader Transitions Handbook. Department of the Army.

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• Police Who Shot Florida Airman 6 Times in His Home May Have Entered Wrong Apartment, Family Says

An attorney for the family of a Florida special operations airman who was shot and killed in his home by local police said Wednesday that officers responding to a reported disturbance may have entered the wrong apartment.

Senior Airman Roger Fortson, 23, who was assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field , was alone in his apartment May 3 when police burst through the door and fatally shot him six times, according to Ben Crump, an attorney representing Fortson's family.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office was responding to a disturbance between a man and woman in the apartment building, and deputies shot Fortson, who was Black, multiple times in the chest, according to police radio communications.

Read Next: With Mounting Opposition, Proposal to Move Guard Units to Space Force Appears Doomed in Congress

"The circumstances surrounding Roger's death raise serious questions that demand immediate answers from authorities, especially considering the alarming witness statement that the police entered the wrong apartment," Crump said. "The narrative released by law enforcement, which falsely suggests that Roger posed a threat, is deeply troubling and inconsistent with the details provided by that witness: Roger was home alone, causing no disturbance, when his life was tragically cut short by law enforcement."

The sheriff's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the attorney's claims. The sheriff's office recently came under scrutiny after one of its deputies resigned following an internal investigation last year of an incident in which he fired his weapon multiple times at a detained suspect after mistaking the sound of an acorn hitting the roof of his patrol vehicle as a gunshot, GulfLive.com reported .

Fortson lived in an off-base residence, and his special operations squadron at Hurlburt Field in the Florida panhandle flies AC-130J Ghostrider gunships.

Crump said there was no disturbance and that Fortson was home alone on a video call with another person, who reported the airman heard a knock on the door.

Fortson, according to the witness, asked, "Who is it?" But he didn't receive an answer. After a subsequent "aggressive" second knock and seeing no one through the peephole, Fortson grabbed his legally owned gun, Crump detailed.

As Fortson was walking back to his living room, police entered the apartment and shot him. He reportedly said "I can't breathe" while on the ground after being shot, Crump said, repeating a witness account of the event.

Publicly available police radio audio reviewed by Military.com reported a call for a disturbance at an apartment complex at 319 Racetrack Road around 4:30 p.m. local time.

"Don't have anything further than a male and female; it's all fourth party information from the front desk at the leasing office," a deputy said on the radio.

A few minutes later, another deputy called in to report "shots fired, suspect down," and called for emergency medical services.

"Multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, Black male," another deputy chimes in shortly after. Fortson was shot six times, Crump said in his statement.

No other details, including the circumstances of the disturbance that prompted the local deputies to visit the apartment building, were released. Fortson was taken to an area hospital, where he later died. No officers were harmed in the incident.

Fortson joined the Air Force on Nov. 19, 2019, according to a copy of his service record provided to Military.com. He joined as an AC-130J gunner. Crump added that Roger graduated from high school with honors and had no criminal record.

The deputy involved was not identified in the news release and was "placed on paid administrative leave" pending the outcome of an investigation and administrative review, the sheriff's office said.

On Monday evening, Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden released a statement saying the department was "saddened" by the incident and calling for further investigation into the shooting.

"I immediately placed the deputy on administrative leave and have asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to conduct the investigation that is required in such incidents," Aden said. "The State Attorney's Office will also conduct an independent review. At this time, we humbly ask for our community's patience as we work to understand the facts that resulted in this tragic event."

The sheriff's office declined to provide Military.com the original 911 call and the police report into the incident, citing "the ongoing active investigation" in an emailed response.

"We are calling for transparency in the investigation into Roger's death and the immediate release of bodycam video to the family," Crump said. "His family and the public deserve to know what occurred in the moments leading up to this tragedy. We urge authorities to immediately stop demonizing Roger in their statements to the media. It's imperative to correct the record and acknowledge the wrongful entry into Roger's home."

Related: Special Operations Airman Shot and Killed by Florida Police During Disturbance in Apartment Building

Thomas Novelly

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Guest Essay

Saying Goodbye to My Brilliant Friend, the Poetry Critic Helen Vendler

By Roger Rosenblatt

The author, most recently, of “Cataract Blues: Running the Keyboard.”

One makes so few new friends in older age — I mean, real friends, the ones you bond with and hold dear, as if you’d known one another since childhood.

Old age often prevents, or at least tempers, such discoveries. The joy of suddenly finding someone of compatible tastes, politics, intellectual interests and sense of humor can be shadowed, if tacitly, by the inevitable prospect of loss.

I became friends with Helen Vendler — the legendary poetry critic who died last week — six years ago, after she came to a talk I gave at Harvard about my 1965-66 Fulbright year in Ireland. Our friendship was close at the outset and was fortified and deepened by many letters between us, by our writing.

Some critics gain notice by something new they discover in the literature they examine. Helen became the most important critic of the age by dealing with something old and basic — the fact that great poetry was, well, lovable. Her vast knowledge of it was not like anyone else’s, and she embraced the poets she admired with informed exuberance.

The evening we met, Helen and I huddled together for an hour, maybe two, speaking of the great Celtic scholar John Kelleher, under whom we had both studied; of Irish poetry; and of our families. Helen was born to cruelly restrictive Irish Catholic parents who would not think of her going to anything but a Catholic college. When Helen rebelled against them, she was effectively tossed out and never allowed to return home.

She told me all this at our very first meeting. And I told her the sorrows of my own life — the untimely death of my daughter, Amy, and the seven-plus years my wife, Ginny, and I spent helping to rear her three children. And I told Helen unhappy things about my own upbringing. The loneliness. I think we both sensed that we had found someone we could trust with our lives.

I never asked Helen why she had come to my talk in the first place, though I had recognized her immediately. After spending a life with English and American poetry — especially the poetry of Wallace Stevens — how could I not? The alert tilt of her head, the two parenthetical lines around the mouth that always seemed on the verge of saying something meaningful and the sad-kind-wise eyes of the most significant literary figure since Edmund Wilson.

And unlike Wilson, Helen was never compelled to show off. She knew as much about American writing as Wilson, and, I believe, loved it more.

It was that, even more than the breadth and depth of her learning, that set her apart. She was a poet who didn’t write poetry, but felt it like a poet, and thus knew the art form to the core of her being. Her method of “close reading,” studying a poem intently word by word, was her way of writing it in reverse.

Weeks before Helen’s death and what would have been her 91st birthday, we exchanged letters. I had sent her an essay I’d just written on the beauty of wonder, stemming from the wonder so many people felt upon viewing the total solar eclipse earlier this month. I often sent Helen things I wrote. Some she liked less than others, and she was never shy to say so. She liked the essay on wonder, though she said she was never a wonderer herself, but a “hopeless pragmatist,” not subject to miracles, except upon two occasions. One was the birth of her son, David, whom she mentioned in letters often. She loved David deeply, and both were happy when she moved from epic Cambridge to lyrical Laguna Niguel, Calif., to be near him, as she grew infirm.

Her second miracle, coincidentally, occurred when Seamus Heaney drove her to see a solar eclipse at Tintern Abbey. There, among the Welsh ruins, Helen had an astonishing experience, one that she described to me in a way that seemed almost to evoke Wordsworth:

I had of course read descriptions of the phenomena of a total eclipse, but no words could equal the total-body/total landscape effect; the ceasing of bird song; the inexorability of the dimming to a crescent and then to a corona; the total silence; the gradual salience of the stars; the iciness of the silhouette of the towers; the looming terror of the steely eclipse of all of nature. Now that quelled utterly any purely “scientific” interest. One became pure animal, only animal, no “thought-process” being even conceivable.

One who claims not to know wonders shows herself to be one.

She was so intent on the beauty of the poets she understood so deeply, she never could see why others found her appreciations remarkable. Once, when I sent her a note complimenting her on a wonderfully original observation she’d made in a recent article, she wrote: “So kind of you to encourage me. I always feel that everything I say would be obvious to anyone who can read, so am always amazed when someone praises something.”

Only an innocent of the highest order would say such a beautiful, preposterous thing. When recently the American Academy of Arts and Letters awarded her the Gold Medal for Belle Lettres and Criticism, Helen was shocked.

“You could have floored me when I got the call,” she wrote to me, adding: “Perhaps I was chosen by the committee because of my advanced age; if so, I can’t complain. The quote that came to mind was Lowell’s ‘My head grizzled with the years’ gold garbage.’”

She was always doing that — attaching a quotation from poetry to a thought or experience of her own, as if she occupied the same room as all the great poets, living with them as closely as loved ones in a tenement.

Shelley called poets the “unacknowledged legislators of the world.” I never fully got that famous line. But if the legislators’ laws apply to feeling and conduct, I think he was onto something. If one reads poetry — ancient and modern — as deeply as Helen did, and stays with it, and lets it roll around in one’s head, the effect is transporting. You find yourself in a better realm of feeling and language. And nothing of the noisier outer world — not Donald Trump, not Taylor Swift — can get to you.

In our last exchange of letters, Helen told me about the death she was arranging for herself. I was brokenhearted to realize that I was losing someone who had given me and countless others so much thought and joy. Her last words to me were telling, though, and settled the matter as only practical, spiritual Helen could:

I feel not a whit sad at the fact of death, but massively sad at leaving friends behind, among whom you count dearly. I have always known what my true feelings are by whatever line of poetry rises unbidden to my mind on any occasion; to my genuine happiness, this time was a line from Herbert’s “Evensong,” in which God (always in Herbert, more like Jesus than Jehovah), says to the poet, “Henceforth repose; your work is done.”

She closed her letter as I closed my response. “Love and farewell.”

Roger Rosenblatt is the author, most recently, of “Cataract Blues: Running the Keyboard.”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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Joseph Epstein, conservative provocateur, tells his life story in full

In two new books, the longtime essayist and culture warrior shows off his wry observations about himself and the world

Humorous, common-sensical, temperamentally conservative, Joseph Epstein may be the best familiar — that is casual, personal — essayist of the last half-century. Not, as he might point out, that there’s a lot of competition. Though occasionally a scourge of modern society’s errancies, Epstein sees himself as essentially a serious reader and “a hedonist of the intellect.” His writing is playful and bookish, the reflections of a wry observer alternately amused and appalled by the world’s never-ending carnival.

Now 87, Epstein has just published his autobiography, “ Never Say You’ve Had a Lucky Life: Especially if You’ve Had a Lucky Life ,” in tandem with “ Familiarity Breeds Content: New and Selected Essays .” This pair of books brings the Epstein oeuvre up to around 30 volumes of sophisticated literary entertainment. While there are some short-story collections (“The Goldin Boys,” “Fabulous Small Jews”), all the other books focus on writers, observations on American life, and topics as various as ambition, envy, snobbery, friendship, charm and gossip. For the record, let me add that I own 14 volumes of Epstein’s views and reviews and would like to own them all.

Little wonder, then, that Epstein’s idea of a good time is an afternoon spent hunched over Herodotus’s “Histories,” Marguerite Yourcenar’s “Memoirs of Hadrian” or almost anything by Henry James, with an occasional break to enjoy the latest issue of one of the magazines he subscribes to. In his younger days, there were as many as 25, and most of them probably featured Epstein’s literary journalism at one time or another. In the case of Commentary, he has been contributing pieces for more than 60 years.

As Epstein tells it, no one would have predicted this sort of intellectual life for a kid from Chicago whose main interests while growing up were sports, hanging out, smoking Lucky Strikes and sex. A lackadaisical C student, Myron Joseph Epstein placed 169th in a high school graduating class of 213. Still, he did go on to college — the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign — because that’s what was expected of a son from an upper-middle-class Jewish family. But Urbana-Champaign wasn’t a good fit for a jokester and slacker: As he points out, the president of his college fraternity “had all the playfulness of a member of the president’s Council of Economic Advisers.” No matter. Caught peddling stolen copies of an upcoming accounting exam for $5 a pop, Epstein was summarily expelled.

Fortunately, our lad had already applied for a transfer to the University of Chicago, to which he was admitted the next fall. Given his record, this shows a surprising laxity of standards by that distinguished institution, but for Epstein the move was life-changing. In short order, he underwent a spiritual conversion from good ol’ boy to European intellectual in the making. In the years to come, he would count the novelist Saul Bellow and the sociologist Edward Shils among his close friends, edit the American Scholar, and teach at Northwestern University. His students, he recalls, were “good at school, a skill without any necessary carry-over, like being good at pole-vaulting or playing the harmonica.”

Note the edge to that remark. While “Never Say You’ve Had a Lucky Life” is nostalgia-laden, there’s a hard nut at its center. Epstein feels utter contempt for our nation’s “radical change from a traditionally moral culture to a therapeutic one.” As he explains: “Our parents’ culture and that which came long before them was about the formation of character; the therapeutic culture was about achieving happiness. The former was about courage and honor, the latter about self-esteem and freedom from stress.” This view of America’s current ethos may come across as curmudgeonly and reductionist, but many readers — whatever their political and cultural leanings — would agree with it. Still, such comments have sometimes made their author the focus of nearly histrionic vilification.

Throughout his autobiography, this lifelong Chicagoan seems able to remember the full names of everyone he’s ever met, which suggests Epstein started keeping a journal at an early age. He forthrightly despises several older writers rather similar to himself, calling Clifton Fadiman, author of “The Lifetime Reading Plan,” pretentious, then quite cruelly comparing Mortimer J. Adler, general editor of the “Great Books of the Western World” series, with Sir William Haley, one of those deft, widely read English journalists who make all Americans feel provincial. To Epstein, “no two men were more unalike; Sir William, modest, suave, intellectually sophisticated; Mortimer vain, coarse, intellectually crude.” In effect, Fadiman and Adler are both presented as cultural snake-oil salesmen. Of course, both authors were popularizers and adept at marketing their work, but helping to enrich the intellectual lives of ordinary people doesn’t strike me as an ignoble purpose.

In his own work, Epstein regularly employs humor, bits of slang or wordplay, and brief anecdotes to keep his readers smiling. For instance, in a chapter about an editorial stint at the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Epstein relates this story about a colleague named Martin Self:

“During those days, when anti-Vietnam War protests were rife, a young woman in the office wearing a protester’s black armband, asked Martin if he were going to that afternoon’s protest march. ‘No, Naomi,’ he said, ‘afternoons such as this I generally spend at the graveside of George Santayana.’”

Learned wit, no doubt, but everything — syntax, diction, the choice of the philosopher Santayana for reverence — is just perfect.

But Epstein can be earthier, too. Another colleague “was a skirt-chaser extraordinaire," a man "you would not feel safe leaving alone with your great-grandmother.” And of himself, he declares: “I don’t for a moment wish to give the impression that I live unrelievedly on the highbrow level of culture. I live there with a great deal of relief.”

In his many essays, including the sampling in “Familiarity Breeds Content,” Epstein is also markedly “quotacious,” often citing passages from his wide reading to add authority to an argument or simply to share his pleasure in a well-turned observation. Oddly enough, such borrowed finery is largely absent from “Never Say You’ve Had a Happy Life.” One partial exception might be the unpronounceable adjective “immitigable,” which appears all too often. It means unable to be mitigated or softened, and Epstein almost certainly stole it from his friend Shils, who was fond of the word.

Despite his autobiography’s jaunty title, Epstein has seen his share of trouble. As a young man working for an anti-poverty program in Little Rock, he married a waitress after she became pregnant with his child. When they separated a decade later, he found himself with four sons to care for — two from her previous marriage, two from theirs. Burt, the youngest, lost an eye in an accident while a toddler, couldn’t keep a job, fathered a child out of wedlock and eventually died of an opioid overdose at 28. Initially hesitant, Epstein came to adore Burt’s daughter, Annabelle, as did his second wife, Barbara, whom he married when they were both just past 40.

Some pages of “Never Say You’ve Had a Lucky Life” will be familiar to inveterate readers of Epstein’s literary journalism, all of which carries a strong first-person vibe. Not surprisingly, however, the recycled anecdotage feels less sharp or witty the second time around. But overall, this look back over a long life is consistently entertaining, certainly more page-turner than page-stopper. To enjoy Epstein at his very best, though, you should seek out his earlier essay collections such as “The Middle of My Tether,” “Partial Payments” and “A Line Out for a Walk.” Whether he writes about napping or name-dropping or a neglected writer such as Somerset Maugham, his real subject is always, at heart, the wonder and strangeness of human nature.

Never Say You’ve Had a Lucky Life

Especially if You’ve Had a Lucky Life

By Joseph Epstein

Free Press. 304 pp. $29.99

Familiarity Breeds Content

New and Selected Essays

Simon & Schuster. 464 pp. $20.99

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