From day one of Basic Training, Soldiers receive instruction on the Army values, discipline, leadership and followership. They are taught about the chain-of-command, the rank structure and the importance of following orders. Most young Soldiers know what right looks like. Unfortunately, once they get to their new units, they don't always maintain that level of military discipline. This happens for one of two reasons.
Either they aren't self-disciplined themselves or their leaders don't expect them to maintain a high-level of military discipline. Personally, I find it disheartening. In my opinion, it's the little things that count, such as addressing people by rank, saluting, following orders, standing up when you talk to superior, standing at attention or parade rest, staying in shape and so much more. When these "little things" start to slip, everything else goes down-hill fast. Your job as a leader is to not let that happen. Your job is to instill discipline in your followers.
Throughout the years, military discipline has shifted and changed, to comply with the value system of our society. For instance, several hundred years ago, Soldiers could be executed or flogged for what we consider minor crimes today. Today, a Soldier can kill a fellow comrade and only get jail time. It's amazing how things have changed in the past hundred years.
We are now a "touchy feely" and "politically correct" Army where many leaders are more worried about being politically correct, than they are about enforcing the Army standard or maintaining military discipline. My advice to any officer is to lead by example at all times and always enforce the Army standards. Do whatever it takes to maintain a high level of military discipline in your unit. If you do, you will have competent and capable group of warriors.
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