The Concept of "Calling" and Its Relevance to the Military Professional

Americans are vigorously seeking to understand their purpose in life: that is, to answer the question, ＂What on earth am I here for?＂ Theologians are using the concept of calling (also known as vocation) to provide answers to this question. Senior military leaders have recently used the word ＂calling＂ in various venues to describe the profession of arms. This study summarizes biblical teaching, historical foundations, and current research in explaining the concept of calling and its relevance to the military professional of the 21st century. The report first distinguishes between several terms often substituted for ＂calling＂ and summarizes the historical and current understanding of this concept. The process of discovering one’s calling is then discussed. The uniqueness of the military calling is then described, and several personal and professional implications are offered. The study concludes that calling is much more than ＂being involved in something bigger than yourself＂ it is an all-encompassing perspective that can have profound, enriching effects on all facets of a military professional’s life.

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