Patton's Advice Has a Serious Flaw - The Military Leader

Patton was an anachronism. He was a throwback to the battle captains of the past. That being said - he truly believed that a leader must lead and not prevaricate at the moment of truth. His leadership style is similiar to Marshal Ney at Waterloo. Both were egotistical, both were narcissistic and both were valorous in combat.

My father hatred the silliness of that part of Pattons personality, enough that he still described it with four letter words 50 years later. Patton got pissed off when soldiers did not wear tines on the front lines.

He was a brilliant artist in the role of maneuver, an inspiring leaders at times, but on occasion he was simply a bit "off" with things like this to the horrifically insane and amoral mission he sent to "rescue" his son-in-law. At what he was good at he was very very good, at other things not so much.

I see less expectation for perfection from leaders today than a simple expectation of competence. The average soldier is very capable of calling BS if leaders fail to lead. That being said, todays soldiers tend to question more and expect answers. I never feel that "because I said so" is the right answer, I believe that an informed soldier will usually work that much harder if they understand why things need done. I therefore always try to keep junior soldiers informed of the how and why where appropriate. Respect is earned through actions and competent leadership, not perfection.