What is courage? It comes in many forms, what is your example?

2015-07-18T10:23:58-04:00

Andrew Jackson once said "One man with courage is a majority" - I am interested in your story or picture of courage (feel free to share any example but I am most interested in military related examples of courage).

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 10:40 AM

2015-07-18T10:40:55-04:00

I am a huge fan of Andrew Jackson. My Brigade was named after him. We are called "Old Hickory." But he was a very decisive leader. He was also called many other things for this actions in Florida. But he lead with passion. He had more courage than most men. He was known to be as tough as an Old Hickory tree. Who wouldn't follow a guy like that.

But today's courage I think is not limited to the battle field. I think it comes from those that see the adversity in a situation and address it. When they see a problem they want to fix it. Most of the time we see leadership avoiding issues and stepping around them. They don't want to fix it but just put a band aid on it so they can get by. Courage comes when a leader see the issues and tackles it. Some of our issues is developing the strategy to fight ISIS. We aren't doing that hot but are leadership coming up with new innovative ways to tackle this or are they just doing what has been failing. I seen those that are trying to integrate the military with equal right for all soldiers. If a female can make Ranger school then let her. I couldn't imagine how much courage it takes to be the first female soldiers attempting to do what has never been done. Especially when so many said it couldn't be done. It is even when that PFC tells his Squad Leader that he is not right for way he is treating his soldiers.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 18 at 2015 10:46 AM

2015-07-18T10:46:30-04:00

Courage is to do what is morally right even though it hurts! Courage is to act even though you know that you face physical danger. Courage is to stand up to power when they're wrong even though you face retribution.

Courage is both physical and moral. Always do the right thing!

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 18 at 2015 10:52 AM

2015-07-18T10:52:59-04:00

CSM Michael J. Uhlig I can't give you any examples of courage under fire in the combat zone, because I was either running to bomb shelter (concrete bunker), or getting painted in an aircraft and that just caused some pucker factor at the time. My example is the courage to standup for yourself, for my Command, for your soldiers, and your own beliefs. This took place during mobilization training at Fort McCoy, WI. I was under constant scrutiny by a GO (I will not mention his name) and day after day he would be in my six wanting to change my training plan and how I was preparing my headquarters for deployment (Logistics) for OIF. Finally, I had enough (that is why I retired as a Colonel by the way), and I went into his office and told him where to go and how far go in no uncertain terms. I can tell you the GO was so shocked and awed by my ass chewing that he just sat there in a total stunned gaze. Sometimes you have to say and do something that will cost you in the long run, but it will pull the head out of someone's rear and you can continue on down the road on your mission. The moral of this story is the GO didn't deploy downrange, but was assigned a nice desk job in Germany. He eventually was relieved for abuse of his powers as a GO by using military equipment and other things for personal gain (his rank went to his head) and he was demoted and retired as a Colonel! I would do it again one more time in my career when the time called for it. Courage comes in many different forms like you said! I’m sure there are many more examples of courage far more profound then mine by other RP Members.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 8:05 PM

2015-07-18T20:05:02-04:00

The ability to face your fears or challenges head on in order to get past those fears and accomplish whatever you set your mind to. Courage can be mental or physical chanlleneges but more often than not they both go hand in hand. I believe that courage is vital attribute that all leaders must posses. You may not be born with natural courage but you can obtain it through negotiating all of life challenges whether or not if the chanlleneges were positive or negative.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 8:33 PM

2015-07-18T20:33:47-04:00

The doctor who treated the EBOLA victims in Sierra Leone and for those who endured the sickness but especially this who became ill and perhaps risked his life for others... That is a hero!

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 8:36 PM

2015-07-18T20:36:42-04:00

Doing something you're scared to do. Facing your fears to help yourself or others.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 18 at 2015 8:59 PM

2015-07-18T20:59:20-04:00

This one is simple. Courage is the ability to do what is right and necessary in spite of fear. Without fear, there is no need for courage.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jul 19 at 2015 8:57 AM

2015-07-19T08:57:31-04:00

I was convoy commander in a 20 truck convoy 6 green/12 white trucks on Aug 21, 2004 in Sadr City(Baghdad) Iraq. I had to negotiate my convoy through a ambush/kill-zone. We were fired upon from the enemy with RPGs/SAF/IED. I told my guys to keep pushing/stay low and engage the enemy. Yea it was at night, and traffic was coming our way because the road was blocked on the other side of the road. There Were bullet holes and holes in our Containers. We dodged certain death. I was proud to have led my convoy from Anaconda Iraq to Tallia, Iraq.

Response by SGT Brian Nile made Jul 19 at 2015 9:04 PM

2015-07-19T21:04:56-04:00

Your a Survior!

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Jul 20 at 2015 9:28 AM

2015-07-20T09:28:35-04:00

CSM Michael J. Uhlig Putting on the uniform and saying "Not on my watch" is just the beginning of the courage I think that we all have.