Page:The history and achievements of the Fort Sheridan officers' training camps.djvu/391

 reason for your appearance. In fact, it would be a mistake to look too

clean they would think that you were not doing your share. But as

soon as this unusual occasion has passed, set them an example of personal neatness.

And then I w^ould mention courage. Moral courage you need as well as physical courage. That kind of moral courage w^hich enables you to adhere without faltering to a determined course of action w^hich your judgment has indicated as the one best suited to secure the desired result. You will find many times, especially in action, that, after having issued your orders to do a certain thing, you will be beset by misgivings and doubts; you w^ill see or think you see other and better means for accom- plishing the object sought. You will be strongly tempted to change your orders. Don't do it until it is clearly manifested that your first orders were radically w^rong. For, if you do, you will be again w^orried by doubts as to the efficacy of your second orders. Every time you change your orders w^ithout obvious reason you w^eaken your authority and impair the confidence of your men. Have the moral courage to stand by your order and see it through.

Moral courage further demands that you assume the responsibility for your own acts. If your subordinates have loyally carried out your orders and the movement you directed is a failure, the failure is yours, not theirs. Yours would have been the honor, had it been successful. Take the blame if it results in disaster. Don't try to shift it to a subor- dinate and make him the goat. That is a cowardly act.

Furthermore, you will need moral courage to determine the fate of those under you. You will frequently be called upon for recommenda- tions for the promotion or demotion of officers and N. C. O. in your immediate command. Keep clearly in mind your personal integrity and the duty you owe your country. Do not let yourself be deflected from a strict sense of justice by feelings of personal friendship. If your own brother is the second lieutenant and you find him unfit to hold the com- mission, eliminate him. If you dont, your lack of moral courage may result in the loss of valuable lives. If, on the other hand, you are called upon for a recommendation concerning a man whom, for personal rea- sons, you dislike, do not fail to do him full justice. Remember that your aim is the general good, not the satisfaction of an individual grudge.

I am taking it for granted that you have physical courage. 1 need not tell you how necessary that is.

Courage is more than bravery. Bravery is fearlessness — the absence of fear. The merest dolt may be brave because he lacks the mentality to appreciate his danger; he doesn't know enough to be afraid. Courage, how^ever, is that firmness of spirit, that moral backbone w^hich, w^hile fully appreciating the danger involved, nevertheless goes on w^ith the undertak- ing. Bravery is physical courage, is mental and moral. You may be cold all over, your hands may tremble, your legs may quake, your knees

be ready to give w^ay that is fear. If nevertheless you go forward, if in

spite of this physical defection you continue to lead your men against the enemy, you have courage. The physical manifestations of fear will pass away. You may never experience them but once. They are the "buck fever " of the hunter who tries to shoot his first deer. You must not give w^ay to them.

A number of years ago, while taking a course in demolitions, the class of which I was a member, was handling dynamite. The instructor said, regarding its manipulation, "I must caution you gentlemen to be

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