They trust and depend on each other. In addition, by fostering an attitude of caring, soldiers may be better able to participate in humanitarian missions. The sense of caring will provide a purpose for helping fellow human beings no matter how physically distant they may be. As political and military leaders evaluate the role of the military in today's changing world, the individual soldier must not be overlooked. However, the gap between soldiers as war-fighters and soldiers as humanitarians is quickly closing.
Leaders have a profound effect on the attitudes of their subordinates.
The responsibility of being a role model must be taken very seriously. Compassion in leadership is necessary to reinforce strong values in soldiers. Through a strong value system, soldiers will be able to accept their role as humanitarians as well as the role of war-fighters. Webster's II New Riverside University Dictionary , The Riverside Publishing Company, Boston, 1984. The Army leadership values include the gift of compassion.