Warrior Ethos Drives Search for Missing Soldiers

Army News Service reported recently that Sergeant Keith “Matt” Maupin had been promoted to Staff Sergeant, his third promotion since being captured as a Private First Class after his convoy was attacked by insurgents near Baghdad, Iraq on April 9, 2004. News reports about Staff Sergeant Maupin get a lot of media attention because he is the only soldier listed as “Missing: Captured” in Iraq. The Army press release announcing his promotion, though, is notable for another reason. It demonstrates in one simple phrase the steadfast commitment of the United States military to account for all of its service members, whether dead and not recovered or missing in action.

“This will keep Staff Sergeant Maupin in line with his peers so that when he returns….” When he returns? The faith and optimism of the message are clear. Make no mistake about it, the Army intends to find Staff Sergeant Maupin and bring him home. And failure is not an option.

This attitude is embodied in what the Army refers to as the “Warrior Ethos.” It is a series of four statements, embedded within the Soldier’s Creed, that affirm the principles of character the American people have come to respect in their soldiers. “I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade.” It is a frame of mind that dictates selfless service to the nation, the mission, the Army, and fellow soldiers. It does not allow for failure and it inspires our soldiers to accomplish the impossible under unimaginable circumstances.

American soldiers live and breathe this “Warrior Ethos” every day as they serve their country at home and abroad, in peace and in harm’s way. They are dedicated to their nation and to each other. And amid the chaos and confusion inherent in a global war on terror, they continue to search for their comrades, from this conflict and from conflicts past.