command philosophy - 1994

K\ ^ DEPARTMENT OF THE AFMy 501st Military Police Company 1st Armored Division CMR 438 APO AE 09252 AETV-THU-M 14 Decanber 1994 MEMORANDUM FOR ALL LEADERS SUBJECT: Command Philosophy 1. To command is to direct with authority, to think and make judgements, and to decide what those commanded will and will not do. To command in wartime is to assume responsibility for taking and saving human lives. To command in peace and war is to direct how human beings will conduct themselves toward each other. What follows are what I believe to be the basic foundations of a unit—pillars for success: a. Discipline is the foundation upon which all good organizations are built. The essential characteristics of a good unit are that it be well trained and well disciplined. These two characteristics are apparent in every vmit achievement, whether in peace or war. Discipline derives and flows from training and serves to enphasize a fundamental point essential to a philosophy of training—that training is all-encompassing. Individual discipline is the first requisite. Leaders must set and demand adherence to high standards. Standards lead to habits, habits lead to discipline, and with discipline, all things are possible. A disciplined, physically fit unit will have the stamina, endurance and will to conduct physically demanding training in peacetime and to succeed in battle. No leader can ever ignore a deficiency or walk away from an infraction. Discipline is not punishment; it is a way of life. b. Integrity is non-negotiable. I operate on trust and confidence;"I commit resources and risk the lives of our soldiers based on what you believe and-say is-true. Integrity in word and deed must be paramount in ail of our dealings with each other. A commitment to integrity and candor extends beyond the simple requirement to be honest. It includes the requirement to preclude misunderstandings, admit mistakes, and to avoid misleading statements or explanations. Our purpose must be to ensure each of us has a complete understanding of the true facts, as we know them to be. Total trust, once broken, is difficult, if not impossible, to rebuild. c. People want to succeed. Soldiers want to do well, and will do the right thing if they understand what is required and the standards against which their success will be measured. They do not join the Army to fail. As leaders we must tap the initiative and talent of everyone in our organization. Leaders set the example in everything they do and say. We must tell oxir soldiers what we expect, set objectives, explain them, and set standards which must be met. Then we must provide the opportunity for our soldiers to be successful in meeting those

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K\ ^

DEPARTMENT OF THE AFMy

501st Military Police Company1st Armored DivisionCMR 438 APO AE 09252

AETV-THU-M 14 Decanber 1994

MEMORANDUM FOR ALL LEADERS

SUBJECT: Command Philosophy

1. To command is to direct with authority, to think and makejudgements, and to decide what those commanded will and will not do. Tocommand in wartime is to assume responsibility for taking and savinghuman lives. To command in peace and war is to direct how human beingswill conduct themselves toward each other. What follows are what Ibelieve to be the basic foundations of a unit—pillars for success:

a. Discipline is the foundation upon which all good organizationsare built. The essential characteristics of a good unit are that it bewell trained and well disciplined. These two characteristics areapparent in every vmit achievement, whether in peace or war. Disciplinederives and flows from training and serves to enphasize a fundamentalpoint essential to a philosophy of training—that training isall-encompassing. Individual discipline is the first requisite.Leaders must set and demand adherence to high standards. Standards leadto habits, habits lead to discipline, and with discipline, all thingsare possible. A disciplined, physically fit unit will have the stamina,endurance and will to conduct physically demanding training in peacetimeand to succeed in battle. No leader can ever ignore a deficiency orwalk away from an infraction. Discipline is not punishment; it is a wayof life.

b. Integrity is non-negotiable. I operate on trust andconfidence;"I commit resources and risk the lives of our soldiers basedon what you believe and-say is-true. Integrity in word and deed must beparamount in ail of our dealings with each other. A commitment tointegrity and candor extends beyond the simple requirement to behonest. It includes the requirement to preclude misunderstandings,admit mistakes, and to avoid misleading statements or explanations. Ourpurpose must be to ensure each of us has a complete understanding of thetrue facts, as we know them to be. Total trust, once broken, isdifficult, if not impossible, to rebuild.

c. People want to succeed. Soldiers want to do well, and will dothe right thing if they understand what is required and the standardsagainst which their success will be measured. They do not join the Armyto fail. As leaders we must tap the initiative and talent of everyonein our organization. Leaders set the example in everything they do andsay. We must tell oxir soldiers what we expect, set objectives, explainthem, and set standards which must be met. Then we must provide theopportunity for our soldiers to be successful in meeting those

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