Posted on Jun 30, 2019
SFC Don Ward
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A quote from Col William E. DuPuy
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Responses: 10
LCDR Retired
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I seem to recall in the oath of enlistment (and later the commissioning oath) "to follow all orders" including those of immediate superiors. Now, how can one not follow should they not "want to"? Of course it goes without saying that a good lead INSPIRES his/her troops in order that the troops willingly follow. This method is so much better than beating the troops down so they might follow out of fear. Respect is earned by leaders and followers. Mutual respect makes a follower more willing to follow.
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SFC Don Ward
SFC Don Ward
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I think it goes more to the mindset of "wanting" to follow a competent and inspiring leader.
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Capt Daniel Goodman
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I wouldn't begin to second guess him, I've read a good deal of his material, however, you obey, as mentioned also here, all but the most stupidly blatant improper instruction, because that's what you agreed to do, and to help your country and its allies, and for no other reason, period...that, at least is the way I view the matter...God knows, I've made more mistakes than I can count, screwed up in more ways than are humanly calculable, had to have that reality and made life infinitely harder on my than was needed, needed to have my head virtually slammed into concrete pavement to get that point across, I've seen a lot of things, often totally unnecessary, due to my own sheer ineptitude because I was so focused on my own ambitions, that I lost sight of what I was there for, and what it actually meant, so, as I'd said, while I clearly wouldn't begin to second guess him, certainly, that, in any event, is my conclusion after three years Army ROTC, four years USAF OTS and active duty, and a while slew of historical reading on related subject matter, you obey because it's what you agreed to, and because, other than blatantly wrong stuff, which I never saw personally, not once, only have read about, which happens very rarely historically, I've observed, it's just simply the right thing to do, period, QED, the end, OK?
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SFC Melvin Brandenburg
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We follow orders because it brings order to chaos. We only refuse illegal orders. Like or not has nothing to do with it. It is the kernel of all we do.
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