The impact of the War on Terrorism on our military is profound. Over the past decade, the Army has rapidly grown, lowered its entry standards and redefined its training goals. Today, as wars decrease, the military is once again facing changes due to budget cuts and downsizing. Such actions have forced critics to question whether the military still meets the expectations of a profession. The answer is that the military remains true to the title “profession of arms” like never before. It is a profession because it is defined by trust, expertise and ethics; characteristics found in all professions claiming to be a profession. The U.S. military ultimately exists as a profession because of the relationship of trust it has with the American people. American citizens, under the Constitution, rely on the military for their security; to accomplish missions that they cannot or refuse to accomplish themselves. It is the ultimate form of trust; if it dissipates, the profession becomes non-existent. A practical example from a recognized profession is the doctor-patient relationship. If a patient feels that a doctor is unable to help them treat their health, they will seek another doctor or self-medicate. Unfortunately, the Army's attention to this relationship has not always been remarkable. Many times during wars, a small number of soldiers have abused this trust by mistreating detainees or attacking civilians. However, to be fair, the military is not the only one making such mistakes. Professions are not immune to the immoral actions of a few; on the contrary, it is the way in which they treat these individuals that makes it a profession. The military has taken it upon itself to investigate and consider it a profession today. In conclusion, the trust, expertise and ethics of the military make it a profession. As with any organization with high expectations, problems arise and changes must occur. The war on terror certainly creates challenges for the military, but like any other profession, the military must adapt and overcome. The military remains true to the title “profession of arms” like never before. Works Cited Caslen, Robert L., LTG and CPT Nathan K. Finney. Military ethics, public trust and the profession of arms. Department of the Army. http://www.dtic.mil. “Trust in institutions”. November 24, 2013. Gallup. http://www.gallup.com/poll.Franks, Fred, GEN. “Unified Quest Keynote. » Speech, West Point, New York. January 12, 2011. http://cape.army.mil “Profession of Arms: An Army White Paper.” Department of the Army, December 8, 2010. http://cape.army.mil.