The most basic lesson a Soldier needs to learn?

CPT Chris Loomis — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 12:44:41 -0500

I have been heard stating that "the most basic lesson a Soldier needs to learn is: Keep your mouth shut and do what the ((BEEEP)) you're told."

I don't say this in order to lean into autocratic leadership. I say it because I believe it is the catalyst for self discipline and conformity to the military environment.

Q: What are your thought?

Q: Do you have a different "basic rule?"

Any and all thoughts welcome.

Please and Thank You.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jan 26 at 2015 1:11 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 13:11:01 -0500

Wow the most basic?

That our job is to kill, to protect those that we love from those who would kill them.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jan 26 at 2015 1:15 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 13:15:13 -0500

Basic rule = Golden rule.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2015 2:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 14:08:47 -0500

Keep your head on a swivel. Situational awareness

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2015 3:42 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 15:42:17 -0500

"Watch, Listen & Learn!"

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 26 at 2015 5:25 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 17:25:21 -0500

I will support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and bear true faith and allegiance to the same. (Still true though I left active duty a few decades ago)

That I will obey the "lawful" orders of the officers appointed over me. (We need to make sure they understand to distinguish between a lawful and an unlawful order - see part one about the Constitution).

Everything else is subordinate to that oath. Everything!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jan 26 at 2015 9:17 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 21:17:36 -0500

2LT Chris Loomis, Wall poster, Ft Knox 1953: "There was a wise old Owl who sat in a oak, the less he spoke, the more he saw; the more he saw, the more he knew, oh Soldier, be like that Owl".

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2015 10:23 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 22:23:52 -0500

What is my job/role and what is the job of the Soldier next to me.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Jan 26 at 2015 10:27 PM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 22:27:22 -0500

Discipline.

Response by CPL Jay Freeman made May 2 at 2015 11:35 PM

CPL Jay Freeman — Sat, 02 May 2015 23:35:16 -0400

Just because you didn't go to college doesn't mean you are the dumbest in the room. I was with the CO and we where talking I said something to him and he said I didn't think of it that way. Another instant we where in basic and doing a screen in which the Sargent told us we would never win as 2 platoons where heading for us and would kill us all I asked the Sargent a question and he said it has never been done before and let us do 8th we won it was the first time. That has ever happened even the drill Sargent was impressed.

Response by PO1 Jerome Newland made Sep 12 at 2019 3:44 AM

PO1 Jerome Newland — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 03:44:58 -0400

Pain let's you know that you are still alive.