1. K ^
DEPARTMENT OF THE AFMy
501st Military Police Company
1st Armored Division
CMR 438 APO AE 09252
AETV-THU-M 14 Decanber 1994
MEMORANDUM FOR ALL LEADERS
SUBJECT: Command Philosophy
1. To command is to direct with authority, to think and make
judgements, and to decide what those commanded will and will not do. To
command in wartime is to assume responsibility for taking and saving
human lives. To command in peace and war is to direct how human beings
will conduct themselves toward each other. What follows are what I
believe to be the basic foundations of a unit—pillars for success:
a. Discipline is the foundation upon which all good organizations
are built. The essential characteristics of a good unit are that it be
well trained and well disciplined. These two characteristics are
apparent in every vmit achievement, whether in peace or war. Discipline
derives and flows from training and serves to enphasize a fundamental
point essential to a philosophy of training—that training is
all-encompassing. Individual discipline is the first requisite.
Leaders must set and demand adherence to high standards. Standards lead
to habits, habits lead to discipline, and with discipline, all things
are possible. A disciplined, physically fit unit will have the stamina,
endurance and will to conduct physically demanding training in peacetime
and to succeed in battle. No leader can ever ignore a deficiency or
walk away from an infraction. Discipline is not punishment; it is a wayof life.
b. Integrity is non-negotiable. I operate on trust and
confidence;"I commit resources and risk the lives of our soldiers based
on what you believe and-say is-true. Integrity in word and deed must be
paramount in ail of our dealings with each other. A commitment to
integrity and candor extends beyond the simple requirement to be
honest. It includes the requirement to preclude misunderstandings,
admit mistakes, and to avoid misleading statements or explanations. Our
purpose must be to ensure each of us has a complete understanding of the
true facts, as we know them to be. Total trust, once broken, is
difficult, if not impossible, to rebuild.
c. People want to succeed. Soldiers want to do well, and will do
the right thing if they understand what is required and the standards
against which their success will be measured. They do not join the Army
to fail. As leaders we must tap the initiative and talent of everyone
in our organization. Leaders set the example in everything they do and
say. We must tell oxir soldiers what we expect, set objectives, explain
them, and set standards which must be met. Then we must provide the
opportunity for our soldiers to be successful in meeting those