A conflict in which opponents resort to the use of arms.
Attribute (Professional).
Elements or components of a profession. In terms of the profession of arms in Canada, it is composed of four attributes that include responsibility, ethos, expertise and identity.
Character
A collective set of attributes or features that make-up and distinguish an individual, group or nation, leading to principled moral excellence. Character is normally associated with the O in the competency framework of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other attributes (KSAO). These attributes can include values, virtues or individual/personality traits.
Character (Individual)
An individual’s combination of internalized beliefs and habits that motivate and shape their behaviour. Beliefs normally coalesce around values, virtues and individual traits that then form the patterns of behaviour which determine our character.
Citizen-soldier
A historic term that refers to people within a country who volunteer, are compelled, or are conscripted into military service to take part in a specific conflict. These members become full-time members of the military but then return to their civilian lives upon completion of the conflict.
Civil Authority
Civil authority within the context of national defence and the profession of arms refers to the nation’s democratically elected civilian officials, which form a national government run by the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Civil-military Relations
Primarily, the study of the nature of the relationship between civilian leaders and military leaders. Civilian leaders refer to the leaders within the executive and legislative branches of Canadian government; primarily the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the Minister of National Defence. Military leaders refer to the Chief of the Defence Staff and their Level 1 Commanders.
Combatant
A member of the armed forces of a Party to a conflict.
Commitment
The state or quality of being dedicated to a cause. This may be expressed as the level of ambition, engagement or sacrifice by which someone is willing to achieve a goal associated with a cause. Similarly, within the military it may be expressed as the level of grit or fighting spirit someone possesses that drives a passion and perseverance to achieve a military mission or task.
Competence
The ability to do something well. Competence is normally associated with the KSA in the competency framework of knowledge, skills, abilities and other attributes (KSAO).
Competency
In individual training and education, the knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics (KSAO) that must be demonstrated when performing a specific function. Other characteristics can include values, virtues, individual traits and attitudes/mindsets.
Conscription
The forced (through law) participation in military service. This is normally for defined periods of time.
Defence Team
All Canadian Armed Forces members, Department of National Defence employees and employees of the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services.
Domain
A major part of the operating environment with specific properties that affect the conduct of military operations. The CAF recognizes five domains: maritime, land, air, cyber and space.
Dual Professional
Members of the CAF who are also members of civilian professional bodies that govern the application of knowledge from these other specialized fields.
Elected Civilian Officials
Members of a government who are nominated, stand for, and are elected to public office to represent the people of a country. In the context of the profession of arms, they are the members of Parliament who form the Government of Canada and who direct and control the military. Specifically, the Minister of National Defence is responsible for the management and direction of all matters relating to national defence.
Ethics
A debate surrounding what is considered right or wrong, and what is considered good or not. Ethics serve to constrain actions. This is often conflated with morals.
Ethos
The characteristic spirit of an organization. It is a collection of expectations, standards, values and ways of being that are held to be important to the organization and are consistent within it. For the CAF, the ethos comprises ethical principles, military values and professional expectations.
Expertise
The expert knowledge, skill and abilities in a particular field of study or profession. It is one of the four professional attributes.
Fighting Spirit
The drive within every military member to do anything in their power, within the ethical principles and values of the profession of arms, to accomplish the assigned mission with enthusiasm, precision and unlimited liability. Fighting spirit is one of the chief moral components of fighting power.
Framework (Conceptual)
A basic structure underlying a system, concept or text.
Growth mindset
A psychological concept developed by psychologist Carol Dweck. It refers to the belief that one's abilities and intelligence can be developed and improved over time through dedication, hard work and learning. Individuals with a growth mindset tend to see challenges as opportunities for growth, embrace effort as a path to mastery, and persist in the face of setbacks.
Identity
The sum of all individual attributes and characteristics that both connects and distinguishes a person from others. It is one of the four professional attributes.
Imperative
A concept often discussed in the context of professions. It helps explain the roles and responsibilities of professionals and their relationships with society and their respective fields. In this context, the word “imperative” is a substantive (not a verb tense) which refers to an absolute obligation or requirement. Imperatives come in two forms: the functional imperative and the societal imperative.
Imperative (Functional)
One of the two fundamental imperatives, it is the idea that a profession must apply its competencies in a manner that will best serve society.
Imperative (Societal)
One of the two fundamental imperatives, it is the idea that a profession must reflect and be responsive to the society it serves.
Mastery
Comprehensive knowledge or skill in a particular field. Mastery is a journey driven by one’s internal motivation towards the near win that then propels one to close that gap, leading to ever higher proficiency, often beyond professional standards. Pursuing mastery often sets new professional standards. Success is an event, but mastery is an endless journey.
Military Advice
Advice provided by the profession of arms to the Government of Canada. Only the CDS provides military advice to the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defence. This privilege is closely tracked and guarded by key staff and official processes that convey such advice.
Military Force
Military force means coercive, destructive, and deadly force that is organized and applied in a disciplined manner to support the achievement of political objectives assigned by elected civilian officials. Military doctrine simply delineates two types of military force: non-deadly force and deadly force.
Mission Command
A philosophy of command that promotes unity of effort by means of a clear expression of the superior commander’s intent, and the delegation of authority to subordinate commanders to use their initiative in accordance with such intent.
Morals
A specific claim about what is right or wrong. When morals are in conflict, a debate surrounding the ethics of the specific morals in question occurs.
Moral Relativism
The view that moral truth or justification is relative to a culture or society.
Non-partisan
A position, role, opinion, idea or effort that is not framed, rooted or appeals to one political ideology or party to the exclusion of others. Instead, it appeals to all parties.
Operational (Level)
The level between strategy and tactics where strategic goals are translated into tactical tasks. It implies the management of organizations and materiel to support tactical activities.
Pan-domain
A concept that ties together traditional domains (maritime, land, air) with newly accessible domains (space) as well as a constructed domain (cyber). Moreover, it does so in a manner that leverages the capabilities of other departments and agencies towards the achievement of national objectives and priorities. Information is not considered a domain, but a new environment.
The level at which national governance and public interests are considered.
Profession
An exclusive group of people who possess and apply a systematically acquired body of knowledge derived from extensive research, education, training and experience.
Profession (Associational)
A profession in which individuals have a direct relationship with a client, providing a service to that client.
Profession (Collective)
A profession that can only achieve its purpose through the efforts of a group. The profession of arms is a collective profession.
Profession of Arms
The profession of military members dedicated to the defence of their country and its interests, as directed by government.
Professional
Members of a profession that have a responsibility to fulfill their function competently and objectively for the benefit of society. They are governed by a code of ethics that establishes standards of conduct while defining and regulating their work.
Professional Ideology
This is a composition of the professional attributes of expertise and ethos. Professional ideology informs a way of being and doing for a profession.
Professionalism
Simply, the conduct and performance expected of a professional. This means abiding by a set of recognized practices around a specific body of knowledge.
Responsibility
This is the obligation of the profession to serve the client in a way that maximizes the client’s interest rather than the interests of the profession or the professionals within it. It is one of the four professional attributes.
Self-regulation (professional)
The ability and responsibility of members of a particular profession to set and enforce standards of conduct, competence and ethics within their own field.
Strategic (Level)
The translation of political objectives into a cohesive set of choices regarding the ways and means required to achieve desired ends.
Strength of Character
The act of strengthening each character trait, value or virtue equally so that they operate interdependently to ensure that behaviour remains virtuous (positive) and judgement is sound, especially in the face of challenges, adversity and ethical dilemmas.
Tactical (Level)
The execution of specific tasks to achieve a particular objective.
Threat (Hybrid)
A threat consisting of any combination of armed, unarmed, irregular and regular forces, irregular or regular capabilities and tactics, combining to achieve a shared objective.
Threat (Grey Zone)
Actions conducted below the threshold of what would be considered war. Actions at this level frequently employ a manifestation of hybrid threats and are designed to create confusion and uncertainty in terms of policy responses.
Trait
An inherited or acquired characteristic which is consistent, persistent and stable.
Trust
The willingness to accept the decisions or influence of another person based on a belief in that person’s reliability.
Trustworthiness
A demonstration by a person or organization to another that they will reliably act in the best interest of that other person or organization.
Values
A way of being or believing that is held to be important. Norms or standards of desirable behaviour that give direction to and set limits on individual and collective behaviour.
Virtues
A behaviour that shows high moral standard. A moral quality regarded as good or desirable in a person. A particular form of moral excellence.