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Good Order and Discipline

Good Essays

Good Order and Discipline For the military leader, the maintenance of good order and discipline is essential for a military force to be effective. An undisciplined military force is a losing one (Hoversten). General Robert E. Lee was one of the greatest military leaders of all time and was firm when it came to discipline. It was important to him that his soldiers understood that, in addition to efficiency, discipline guaranteed a solder’s safety; that if his forces did not prepare themselves for war when they had a chance, they would pay dearly (McBride). Discipline can be best defined as “a state of training, resulting in orderly conduct.” (McBride). This “state of training” must be achieved as well as maintained during peacetime so …show more content…

Failure to go, absent without leave (AWOL), poor attitude, drug and/or alcohol use and abuse or continued tardiness are some examples of violations by individuals who do not understand the full meaning of personal liberty. Extra duty, restriction, and correctional custody all punish as well as psychologically teach the value of liberty to the individual (McBride). Good order and discipline is vital for a successful military. General George Patton was a strong disciplinarian who was equally as adamant about preparedness. He told his commanders if they did not enforce and maintain perfect discipline, they were potential murderers (McBride). He went on to say… “That is a blunt way of putting it, but war is blunt, and war is what we must all prepare for” (McBride). It is too late to prepare for war once the war has already begun. Good order and discipline prepares soldiers for war; it teaches responsibility for being accountable for what they do or fail to do and it assists soldiers in making them accountable for their personal conduct as well. Good order and discipline is a state of obedience. It allows those who serve in the military to be prompt and willing; to be responsive to orders and to understand and comply to regulation. It makes for a strong, uniformed force who can act swift and justly to maintain safety. Without good order and discipline the safety of the American people, the military as a whole and fellow

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