SHOULD AND SHALL

Should and Shall are words in military text that have very specific meanings. Before we look at these meanings, we must first understand two other words.

The first is: "Knowledge," and it is Power!

The second is "Wisdom!": Although knowledge is power, wisdom is the correct use of this knowledge and the proper application of it's power to achieve a non self serving, desired outcome.

Military Operations must have clear concise Orders to follow. These Orders may be the norm for a given situation or non-deviation from a particular action to be taken.

Therefore;

"Should": Means that, under most circumstances, a particular set of Orders are to be followed. If they are not, there must be a reason to deviate based on knowledge and wisdom.

"Shall": In an Order to be followed, Shall means there is no deviation of any kind, allowed. There are no options to the following of this Order under any circumstance.

Outside the military, Department Operations have a list of expected actions to be taken and in what sequence. In this situation, it is up to the Supervisor at each level to be accountable for their interpretation of these actions to be taken. They must decide whether to follow the flow of expected actions and if not, be able to explain why they deviated from the accepted norms.

In this type of situation there are only two sins. One of "Improper Action" and the other of "Omission"( not advising their Supervisor of a deviation and why this was done).