History, troop esprit de corps and morale

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Part of Philippine Armed Forces Journal

Title: History, troop esprit de corps and morale
Language: English
Source: Philippine Armed Forces Journal Volume IX (No. 4) February 1956
Year: 1956
Rights
Fulltext: History, Troop Esprit de Corps and Morale R~printcd h"m the J•nuuy-Fcbru .. )', U56 I .. ue "' the AR"ofOR Mu:ulne, USA by Briyarlin General Paul M. Robinett, L'SA ~E value of history in militar~· read biography and especially auto.1. educatioit has always been re· biography. If you will do it you cognized in the armed forces of the will find war is simple." United States. It has been at the There are dissenters from this vet·y base of instruction in the points of view, however. Field MaTUnited States Military and Naval shal Wavell, for one, holds that the Academies and the service schools study of psychology and leadership and colleges since their inception. In this emphasis on the value of history in military instruction, the American armed forces have followed the advice of such great captains as Frederick the Great and Napoleon, as well as othen; who have more re· cently made their mark on the pages of history. Napoleon has written, " ... the knowledge of the higher arts of war is not acquired except by experience and the study of history of wars and the study of the "battles of great captains." General George S. Patton, Jr., one of America's great offensive battle leaders, lllso emphasized the importance of Kistot·y. His words, written on the battlefield, were: "To be a successful soldier you must know history, read it objectively-you must (also) is of greater importance to a military man than the study of operations, contending that Napoleon's military success can be attributed to his knowledge of psychology rather than to his study of rules and strategy. And Le Bon, who was not a military man, has condemned histories on general principle, observing that "They are fanciful accounts of ill-observed facts accompanied by explanations the result of reflection" and that the writing ''of such books is a most absolute waste of time." Notwithstanding these opinions, which are not without value as a challenge to historians, it must be concluded that the study of past wars is fundamental to preparation for the next, for current military problems PIIILIPPIN!!S ARMED FORCES JOURNAL Nopo!eon ho• "''"'•"· rl>• kno .. !•dge of lh• ~ogher ort• of wor ;, not acquired u<epr by •~P••i•no• ond tl>• •tud1 ol huloty of wors ond th• ,rudy of fhe borrle1 of greor coproono T~e •ofu• ol rl>io 1tudy ~o• been •••ognozed by ll>e US . ormed Ioree• cannot be solved without an \meier- man can gain inspiration !rom the standing of the past !rom which they record of the past e\·en though it is stem. Every individual in the mili- still imperfectly told. During \he tary service will find a knowledge comparatively short span of Amerof military history, and especially of ican history, the Army has fought American military history, valuable brave and skillfu\1 soldiers of many in the solution of problems, both in races and in many lands. These peace and in war. Heeding the in- operations have ranged !rom despescription carved in stone at the en- rate hand to-hand engagements with trancl.' to the National Archives- savages equipped with bows 'and ar"\Vhat is past is prologue"-thc sol- rows and tomahawks or 11pean and die!·, sailor or airman must be root.. bolos to vast battle with armies landed in the past to understand the ing in the face of modern forces present that he may project hhnself and driving them back to the center into the future. of empire. During the same time Esprit de Cor1 1S the Navy has effectively supportt0 The accomplishments of the armed American foreign and military poforces of the United States in both Hey, won great naval victol'ies at peace and war have been so outstand- sea and insured the safety and lodg· ing that every soldier, sailor or air- ment of ground forces on many ~ distant hostile shores. And in later the heroic deeds and accomplis\J.- )imes the Air Force has overcome ments of individuals and units, and the enemy in the air and success- each soldier is fumished The Solfully supported both the Army and dier's Guide, contailling historical the Navy. The armed forces have material. In many units mounts and also played an outstanding role in vehicles have borne the names of discovery and exploration; in great distinguished soldiers of the past. engineering undertakings that have Army posts are genera\Jy named for joined the oceans, developed ports widely known military men; buildand harbors, harnessed and controll- ings and streets for others or for ed rivers, and developed the atomic military o1·ganizations. Army and bomb; in medicine and hygiene; and Marine Corps colors and standards in communications, navigation and are decorated with streamers carry aviatioll.. They have also been the ing thf' names of battles or campaigns training ground of scholars, scien- in which the unit has honorably par· tists, administrators, educators, di- ticipated. In the Navy many ships plomats and siatesmen who have have been named for officers and made gn•at contributions to every men who have distinguished themphase of American life. selves in the se\'\·ice of their coun· Clausewitz has said that "One try. The Air Force has also named who is seeking a profound under- most airfields for distinguished flystanding of the fundamentals of war ers, many of whom lost theit· lives ... must understand Cll11rit ([e corps. a s pioneet·s in the ai1·. For many • This spirit is the cement which binds years Retreat has included the Star together all qualities which taken Sprmgled Brmner which was inspired , together gives an army militat·y under the "rocket's red glare." Thus value." A knowledge of theit· accomplishments can play a vital l'Ole in the Army, Navy and Air Force, for as Fortescue, the eminent Bl'itish military historian, has said, "Without knowledge of military history men art really unconscious of th(' exist. ence of the most wonderful of moral 'forces ... ; and it is not a thing of wh1ch anyone can afford to be ignorant.'' In line with Fortescue's warni!Jg the armed forces of the United States have called upon military his-tory in many ways. In the Army, for example, the Information and Education Program includes instruction in I'IHLIPPINES AR!>U;D FORCIES JOURNAl. IIi• noltnough to f>glll lt>llht •pitit"'h"h bw•goto!htlighlrholdtcidt• th•· inut lr if morolt rllol ,.in1 lht v>trory It io t lon, t <pril dt corp• ond dtlt rm>nolion it can be seen that the deeds and is !Steadfastness and courage and records of the past have been weld- hope. It is confidence :md zeal ed to the task in hand and the forces- and loyalty. It is elan, e~prit d~ in-b~ing motivated to Jive and func- corps and determination. tion in the best traditions of the It is staying power, the spirit , past. which endures to the end - the Morale In speaking on morale in mode1·n war General of the Army George C. Marshall once said: will to win. With it aU things are possible: without it everything ebe: plan ning, preparation, production, count for naught. The soldier's heart, the soldier's As can be seen, General Marshall'g spirit, the soldier's soul, are every- ideas of morale do not indupc '"pie thing. Unless the soldier's soul in the sky" or recreation. · H. is sustains him he cannot be relied thoughts are of the spiritual attrib· on and will fail himself and his utes which motivate individuals who' commander and his country in the collectively make up a unit and the end. Army, Na\"Y and Air Force. th!t s1;ir~~t :~~~ghw:0 bf:~:t. to1\~: gi~~n~:l v:~~~i:•; t!~ i~~;;;::~ceh~~ ' J fight that decides the issue. It is the spiritual side of the Army in morale that wins the victory. these words: "There is a soul to an Morale is the state of mind. It army as well as to individual men, ftnd no general can accomplish the .fUll work of his army unless he commands the soul of his men, as well as their bodies and legs." General Patton, a profound student of military history and leadership, on many occasions during World War II also noted the unit soul physically sym. boli:ted by the colors and standards. It can thus be seen that both Sherman and Patton broadened the concept to include the unit as well as the individual in the broader problems of 'morale. They thought of the individuals of a unit welded togethe1 by a leader and given a common soul. The creation of this unit soul is the continuing problem of all commanders from the lowest to the highest and the problem becomes more difficult when for reasons of economy the props which support a commander are abolished. But, regard· -less of handicaps, the quality of a leader is the true criterion of the •soul of a unit. He is the one who must inspire the individuals of the outfit and weld them into a whole capable of withstanding all hardships and sacrifices, so beautifully illustrated by Captain Nathan Hale as he stood on the enemy's gallows on the morning of 22 September 1776 and said: "I only regret that 1 hp.ve but one life to lose for my country." At the very base of the problem 1 of morale is patriotism or love of co'l.ntry- the cement that binds a people together and sustains their fighting men. Without it neither the people nor the armed forces have a soul. The founders of the Repubhc laid a solid spiritual foundation fo1 all An1ericans in two great documents-The Dedarrrtion' of Jndependt'nce and Tile Con.~Cihdiolt. In thest" fundamental papers are recorded the ideas and principles upon which patriotism in the Republic must be built. According!>•, every man who enters the military service 1\lU.!;t swear or affirm that he will defend Tin C•m-~litution against all enemies, foreign or domestic. This solemn ceremon>• is sut-rounded with all p-omp and circumstance possible unrler pt·evaiting conditions. In writing about patriotism Genenral Ian Hamilton of Great Britain said that it is ''A plant whose best nutriments arc blood and tears: a plant which dies down in peace and flowers most brightly in war. It docs not calculate, does not profiteer, does not stop to 1·eas('ln: in an atmosphere PRILIPI'INES ARMED FORCES JOURNAL of danger the sap begins to stir; it unit anniversaries, minor distinc-• Jives, it takes possession of the soul." tions of drill and command, and dis- • A truly great military historian will tinctive greetings and replies. For attempt to cy>ture and record this example, an individual of the 13th spirit which plays such an impor- Cavalry Regiment on receiving an tant role in the oukome of bat- ordet· or instructions us.ed to salute ties, campaigns, and wars. A mere and reply before parting, "It shall recitation of events will fail to probe be done." The 7th Cavalry Regithe depths of the services and will ment once included saddled but riderpl·ove of little value of leaders of less Comanche, the lone survivor of Role of Intangible Symbol in Developing Morale Intangible symbols of the unit's past consist of customs and traditions around which the outfit builds distinctive special observances and p1·actices. Such things can be of great morale value in the armed services. Examples of these arc almost endless in number and variety. Some of the most widely practiced are the celebration of important the Battle of the Little Big Horn, in its parades. In 1922 the 3d Infantry Regiment was granted permission to march on all ceremonial occasions with fixed bayonet; in honor of its gallant assault with the bayonet at the Battle -of Cerro Gordo on 18 April 1847. Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, a naval hero beloved by the Army, knew the value of symbolism and history. Arter building a fleet on Lake Erie during the Wat· of 1812, he named his flagship for an earlier hero, Captain James Lawrence, and' put out a blue bunting flag caJTy~ ing Lawrence's last words, "Don't give up the ship!" With a crew of soldiers and sailors he defeated the British fleet in a terrific battle and sent a laconic message to Major General William H. Harrison, "We have met the enem}' and they are ours." Then after transportll\g Harrison's force across Lake Erie, he joined it ashore and participated ir. a cavalry charge that clinched an important American victory in the Battle of the Thames. The Army has named a camp in Ohio in noemory of Perry. The Navy has named a ship fot· him, and all entering midshipmen at the United States NaTltiiOI.IIldlrl ol rh1 hpublic !oid a Ja!id,pirirua! !oundotion lor o!IAm•ricon• in r ... o grtot docum•nlo - T~• O•doralion of !ncllpeMilnc• Olld Til• Conorirurion. val Academy are sworn in and take This nickname has persisted and is their oath of allegiance directly be- in use today. On the same occasion neath his flag, which is on perma- he addressed the Regiment of mountnent display in Memorial Hall. ed rifles (presently known as the 3d Lieutenant General Winfield Scott Armored Cavalry Regiment, stationed was a colorful leader with ability to in Germany) as follows, "Brave Hiexpress himself in words that have fles! Veterans! You have been become the heritage of units that baptil.ed in fire and blood and come once !lerved under· his command. Af- out steel." Since that time the Reter the fall of Chapultepec, 13 Sep- giment has called itself "Brave Ritember 1847, the 3d Infantry Regi- fles" and its unit insignia is emment was put at the head of the blazoned with that name. tolumn making formal entrance into The 13th Infantry Regiment Mexico City. Mounted with his staff, earned its name "First at Vicksburg" General Scott waited for the proces- as a result of the gallantry displaysian in the outskirts. When the 3d ed by the lst Battalion on 19 Mtty Illfantry came abr·east. Scott, in a 1863. On that day, in a frontal dramatic gesture, swept off his hat assault the 13th planted and mainand said to his staff, "Gentlemen, tained its colors on the Confederate take off your hats to the Old Guard.'' parapet for as long as the attack PNILIPPIN•:S ARMED FORCES JOURNAL ~ persisted. In doing so it lost 43.3 officPrs' sword stems directly :fro~~ per cent of tts men. Authorization the l<Cimitar and memorializes the for the unit to tnsuibc this motto heroic service of a small Marine on its colors ,·ame from a board of force in the Tripolitan War. officers of the XV Corp:. on 12 Orte of the most effective intangiAugust 1863. ble symbols is a unit march or song, The 19th Infantry Regiment has particularly on<' that has been assofot· its motto. "Rock of Chickamau- ciatPd with the outfit for a long ga." It earned this name while time. The 7th Cavalry's Garry Owen serving in the corps c(lmmande.-1 by i~ an example of a song that has Major General George H. Thomas m contributed materially to t he morale the Battle of Chickamauga. Sta- of that regiment :for many years. tioncd on the left of General Tho- Perhaps the most famous of the Armas, line on 19 Septembet, the re- my's branch songs is Lieuten9.nt Edgiment bore the brunt of the fier- mund L. Gruber's The CaU!son Song, ce.st assaults. The next day, when Awhor" Aweigh!, the Murine~· their ammunition was exhausted, the Humn, and Tlw United Slates Air men held their ground with bayo- Porce Song are service wide songs nets. Seventy five per ceni of the that havE' great morale value. Jn a regiment were killed or wounded. At much rno1·e important way, however, length the command devoh·ed on a The Star Spangled Bamter and Bot second lieutenant. To commE'morate rle Hymn of the Republic have Jllaythis incident, it latet· became the ed an outstanding role in developmg custom for the junior second lieute- morale in the armed forces since, nant of the 19th Infantry to com· they appeared. mand the regiment on each ol·ganization day, 20 September. Role of Unit History in Developing Another example originated with Morale the proud remark of an unknown The color~ bearing units a re t he soldier during the Civil War. Dul"ing military families within which the that war certain cot·ps had adopted broader soul of the Army and Marine distinctive badges, a custom which Corps is built. It is these familtes has continued in the United States which the division commandpr, with~ Army. But the XV Corps, command- out infringing upon subo;dinates, ed by Major Genet·al John A. Logan, welds into a composite team. These had not done so. One of the men unit:s a1·e corporate entities havinl( of the corps, on being asked what a legal existence even though their his badge was, 1·eplied, "Forty rounds actual personnel may vary from war in the cartridge-box, and twenty in strength when on active service to the pocket!" On hearing the story zero when on an inactive statl:is. GeMral Logan promptly adopted th!' Therefore every unit has itil own corps badge. history which is distinct f rom a ll The unusual form of the Marine others. It may have a history ex!l FRBKUARY lf~i undertaken of the general princi]Jles of leadership and then by critical ly reading of biographies and me-moirs of military leade~s with a view to detel'mining the reasons for their successes and failures. But it should be understood that the qualities and methods of others are unique to the individuals concerned and are not en· tirely suited to any other. Nevertheless, they can teach an individual of judgment what to avoid and what to emulate, and can help him shape and develop his own qualities !or the better. To do so, however, it is essential that the individual and the Col. 0;0 ";1;0 o1 ,do experiences of others to his own and acquire qualities and methods tendiug back before the founding of suited to himself. the Republic, a brief history, or, in the case of new units, no history at Even though there is a paucity of all. In any case, however, each good biographies and memoirs, parunit shares the broader history of ticularly of individuals in the lower the particular service. Any unit, echelons of command, this material therefore, can utili~e pride in past is the best available for an underaccomplishments to foster soldierly standing of character, of the charac, conduct, pride of outfit and love of country. Newer outfits, like younge,· brothers, ~:ohould strive to excel their seniors. Military Biography and Memoirs and Leadership Leadership being the very foundation upon which morale, esprit de coTPS and a success{ul military eareer must be built, it behooves all fl officen to study it assiduously, !or ftl , as Major General Freytag-Loring- • ..;fill ~::::m!~~~~hi~n ;:;, ha:h:ai=~~~e~~ t 'f1 is no proCession in which personality LJr .. training is more important than the military" The study can best be PHILIPPINES ARMED FORCES JOURNAL criticism .... " It should enable th(: thoughtful student to determine and' to identify in others the desirabl~ traits of soldiers and lE:aders in both staff and command positions. This should enable a military man to become a practical psychologist and should thus enable him to avoid !;lecoming a mere theorist. As Clausewitz has pointed out, a commander "need not be a close observer of men, a sharp dissector of human character, but he must know the character, the feelings, the habits, the peculiar faults and inclinations of those whom he is to command." To be of maximum value in teachteristics of men, of good and bad ing military leadership, historical leadership and of the influence of works must be factual and frank. eminent personalities upon events. Propagandistic 01- censored history is Military works 1lealing with the rank dangerous and should not be used. and file, such as Bolton's The Pri- for it can provide no sound lessons v1t.te Soldier Under Washington and or basis of professional training. It Willey's Billy Yank, should be read leads to false conclusions and fosWlth the realization that bad soldiers ters one of the worst evils in protend to leave many documents be- fessional military thinking-self-dehind them, while good soldiers or- ception. Histories written during dinarily leave only the briefest sort the Jives of the actors or too near of records or merely a name. For their era are generally tinged with this reason even so-called "fact~:~al prejudice, colored by self- interested studies" of the fighting men are flattery and influenced by the. selecusually heavily loaded on the seamy tive treatment of source material. side of life. Histories written too long after the If the study of leadership is to be time of the participants !tre freprofitable, the student must analyze, quently fictional or sentimental. evaluate and judge the qualities of Therefore, history will never be en, both fighting men and leaders, with tirely satisfactory for instruction in due regard to the circumstances and leadership until it gives a complete conditions under which they worked. picture of the participants - their But as tht' British Scholar, Wilkin- merits, faults, temperaments ar:d son, in his book The 8,-ain of the ambitions, their Janus faces, their Army, has said, "This judgment must ability to exercise self-control espenl!\'el· degenerate into mere negative cially in adversity and their physicttl and mental .:onditions. • Although the study of great caprains is important to all military men, the study of "followship," as exemplified by subordinate leaders and staff officers, is equally important and perhaps more so be.:ause few .:an rise to the topmost position and even these must pass through the various grades in both staff and oommand assignments. General Malin Craig, former Chief of Staff of the United States Army, emphasized this aspect of a military career in this adVice to a graduating clas!> at the United States Military Academ)·: No young officer can be unconscious of the impression he is making on others. He would be wrong to govern his conduct sole· ly by the opinions of others. First of all, he must to himself be true. Fortunately, by a happy paradox of human nature, we best 11erve ourseh·es when we think only of Col. Ni(onor T serving others. An offi.:er . should make it a .:ardinal principle of life that by no account of commission or omission on his part will he permit his immediate IIUperior to make a mistake. Once an officer establishes such a Jlrofessional reputation his future is a~ smecl. His services will be eagerlv sought and his assignment to clu· ties of the highest importance is certain. A comprehensive knowledge of military history emphasizing both lead· ership and followship will facilitate mutual respect and understanding in the armed forces; the broad problems of the higher commander will be more readily comprehended by subordinates, and the complex human, material, and physical probl€"ms of the soldier and of the small· unit commanders better appreciated by superiors. Such understanding will greatly facilitate good morale in an)· organization.