Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary defines accountability as “the state of being accountable; liability to be called on to render an account; accountableness.” One must always remain accountable whether one is part of a formation or a business. Being accounted for means that the people you are responsible to and for know where you are and can rely on you. This is important because someone who is accountable can be relied upon by his or her superiors and juniors to get the job done no matter the time or place.
Part of being accountable is remaining available to help the people you work whenever they need your help. Every boss would like to be able to rely on the people he supervises to get their work done well and on time. Showing that you are accountable for the work that your boss assigns you makes you an important member of your work team, increasing your chances of becoming established in the company and gaining a promotion. In the same way, every employee wants to have a boss who is accountable. When someone knows that he can get help with any project he is working on from his boss and that his boss will be accountable for any problems that are the boss’ fault, the employee will work harder to get his job done and please his boss.
Accountability and being on time are closely related. Being on time shows one as being an accountable person who can be relied upon to get his or her job done promptly. When thinking about being on time, it is helpful to think of being somewhere at the announced time as being late and being there a few minutes early as being on time. This means that you will always be prepared and ready to begin work when everyone else is just getting started, thereby showing how accountable you are.
It is especially important to be on time in the Marine Corps. A marine who does not show up for duty on time can be in danger of being charged U.A., Unauthorized Absence, something n...