What term describes being accountable for what you do?

• A. Duty
• B. Responsibility
• C. Obligation
• D. Liability

Answer: (B)

Being accountable for what you do means you own your actions and are answerable for the results. That sense of ownership and being answerable is what responsibility captures. It implies you’ve been given tasks and you ensure they’re done properly, you report honestly on progress, and you accept the outcomes, whether they turn out well or poorly. In a military context, this translates to following orders, keeping teammates safe, and delivering results, with leaders expecting you to stand by what you did or didn’t do.

The other terms sit nearby but don’t fit as well. A duty is the set of tasks tied to your role, not the personal ownership of the outcome. An obligation is a binding requirement—often ethical or legal—but it doesn’t by itself convey that personal accountability for results. Liability is about potential legal or financial exposure for damages or loss, which is about risk rather than the everyday ownership of actions.