March 18, 2003

Schofield's Definition of Discipline

While in Army Officer Candidate School (1984), we were expected to be able to recite verbatim, and explain the meaning of, a number of items of "required knowledge" --and do so at a moment's notice, anytime--day or night, no matter what the conditions or the stress level. As the years have gone by, I'm afraid I've forgotten many of those tidbits of required knowledge. Interestingly, one of them remains with me to this day. I find that in many situations where "directed" communication is in order, whether they revolve around my interactions with others, my fathering my children, or my communications to those who work for me, this short essay often helps me set an appropriate tone for the conversation:

SCHOFIELD'S DEFINITION OF DISCIPLINE.
The discipline that makes the soldiers of a free country reliable in battle is not to be gained by harsh or tyrannical treatment. On the contrary, such treatment is far more likely to destroy than to make an army. It is possible to impart instructions and to give commands in such manner and such a tone of voice to inspire in the soldier no feeling but an intense desire to obey, while the opposite manner and tone of voice cannot fail to excite strong resentment and a desire to disobey. The one mode or the other of dealing with subordinates springs from a corresponding spirit in the breast of the commander. He who feels the respect which is due to others cannot fail to inspire in them regard for himself, while one who feels, and hence manifests disrespect toward others, especially his inferiors, cannot fail to inspire hatred toward himself."
- MG John M. Schofield, in an address to the Corps of Cadets, 11 August 1879

Something to think on, any time your emotions are leading you toward chewing some ass, rather than taking an opportunity to counsel positively or train someone.

-Kevin

Posted by khiggins at March 18, 2003 08:56 AM
Comments

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Posted by: Goodlife 2000 on June 6, 2004 07:41 AM

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I going to OCS in January of 2005.

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Posted by: Adriana on April 1, 2004 11:45 AM

This was one we had to memorize in OCS class 52D USAF along with T Rooesvelt "Arena" , Courtesy is Politeness. would like to have copies of all these. John Adair

Posted by: john adair on December 18, 2003 12:30 AM

I couldn't remember it all, but have had the occasion to quote the first sentence often. I decided to do a web search and found your site. After reading, one of my young captains ('92) rattled it off and it was in sync with another site I found.

You are right, though. It applies not just to the military but to others as well. Unfortunately, today's military is the most aggregious offenders.

Thanks.

Here is the correct text:

The discipline which makes the soldiers of a free country reliable in battle is not to be gained by harsh or tyrannical treatment. On the contrary, such treatment is far more likely to destroy than to make an army. It is possible to impart instructions and to give commands in such a manner and in such a tone of voice as to inspire in the soldier no feeling but and intense desire to obey, while the opposite manner and tone of voice cannot fail to excite strong resentment and a desire to disobey. The one mode or other of dealing with subordinates springs from a corresponding spirit in the breast of the commander. He who feels the respect which is due others cannot fail to inspire in them regard for himself; while he who feels, and hence manifests, disrespect toward other, especially his inferiors, cannot fail to inspire hatred against himself.

Posted by: Pat Klever on July 22, 2003 06:53 AM
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