General Patton’s Principles of Life and Leadership
Born November 11, 1885 in San Gabriel, California, General George Smith Patton, Jr. was one of the most complicated, yet greatest leaders in military history. On June 11, 1909, he attended the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) for a year and then to the United States Military Academy at West Point where he commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 15th cavalry Regiment. Growing up, Patton’s ultimate life goal was to become a hero and a successful leader. In Robert B. Williamson’s book, “General Patton’s Principles for Life & Leadership”, the author takes a personal account of Patton’s principles which he lived and fought for. These main principles consisted of the following: Leadership,
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My landings are poor, but my recoveries are good” (Williamson, 115). Looking at his next principle of decisions, Patton made the decision to speak out against the war. He broke all the current rules at the time and said that the only reason why the war came about was because no one spoke out against Hitler. He made a decision to speak of his belief even if it meant things would be done against him.
He was relieved from his command in 1945 because he was too rash when he said that Germany be built up as a bulwark against Russia. It is this kind of decision-making quality that will help me become a future leader in the military. In terms of success and life and death, Patton believed that success only came from being positive and not negative. In other words, as Patton pointed out, a man in the hospital lost his will to fight, and after building his own coffin, he died. Success in life and death was fighting to stay alive.
Patton’s beliefs have and will continue to echo through eternity. It is with these sets of beliefs that men and women who serve everywhere will grow to be the leaders they can be. Speaking out based on your own belief, leadership and pride are just a few of the principles that we continue to live by to this day. What we do in life echoes in eternity and I hope to become as good an officer as Patton was and do honor to the men who was ahead of his time and widely respected by
Lt. Audie L. Murphy’s name stands as one of the most prominent in American military history. He was a figurehead of leadership and the epitome of the seven Army Values (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage). He was a model for every soldier to follow, one that overcame every odd that was ever against him and rose to conquer every challenge. In his personal memoir “To Hell and Back”, he expressed a very personal view of what it takes to embody these characteristics which would eventually encourage anyone who reads it. In the next few paragraphs I will expound on his leadership and analyze what it really takes
General Patton did an outstanding job demonstrating the four of the six steps of Mission Command during the Battle of the Bulge. The forces that General Patton led were subjected to a stern leadership and instilled tighter discipline than any other American field forces in World War II. General Patton lived by a few principles daily and one of those include a quote he made of his own “say what you mean, and mean what you say.” An example of his quote he enforced in his soldiers that he made sure that regulations concerning uniforms were rigidly enforced, and on many occasions he imposed fines or other punishments when he found his men on front lines violating the rules he
General George Patton, also known as “Blood and Guts”, was and is known as one of the best there was. “Patton was a highly effective pioneer, advocate, and exponent of modern mechanized warfare as well as doctrine of highly mobile offensive.” (Axelrod, 2006) The soldiers that served under Patton in the Third and Seventh Army’s knew him as a soldier’s leader and took his death very hard. They considered Patton one of the greatest men that ever lived. Patton professed to be a Christian and was certain that “God destined him to military greatness.” (Axelrod, 2006) Patton was an incredible leader to the third and seventh armies, yet he was continuously threatened with being removed from command. He suffered from dyslexia, deep depression, and episodes of hysteria which made his confidence levels close to zero. Yet he led armies under him into victories that exuded confidence. There were mothers that were terrified of Patton’s tactics with their sons, but Dwight D. Eisenhower was sure that those same tactics used by Patton would save those soldier’s lives. Patton was a strong leader that led by example. He fought with his soldiers and was on the front line right beside them. When he spoke, he may have been feared, but he was also respected. He was a man of his word. He put soldiers in place that he knew would get the job done. He made sure his soldiers were always on guard and ready to fire at all times when it was pertinent. He pushed himself and his army to stay
George Patton was a unique person.A boy who problems at school, a general who claimed victory and got into trouble, and a one the greatest heroes of World War 2.Patton was very colorful and original.He was considered a very successful general.He was not like any
In the United States Army we are taught to live by the Seven Army Values. They are broken down to us in the acronym ‘LDRSHIP’ which is short for Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage. We are all taught these 7 Army values repeatedly from day one in the United States Army. First we memorize these values. Then we are trained to live by them. All of these 7 values coincide with each other, and play an important roll in our Army lives. These 7 Army Values also play well into life outside the Army in our personal life. People sometimes do not realize the importance these values have on the way we are viewed by the people who look up to the men and woman who are privileged enough to represent the
While many look past all but a few things on the man George S. Patton, I decided to
My leadership philosophy revolves entirely around the Army Values. In every action I take as a leader, I assess whether or not it lines up with the Army Values and the potential impacts. I have had a variety of leadership assignments during my career, all requiring a different leadership approach, spanning from team leader through platoon sergeant. My conflict resolution skills have greatly evolved through my twelve years in the Army, from rudimentary conversations to in depth problem solving. My professional development has had a profound effect on my leadership abilities, from NCOPD’s to mentorship from senior non-commissioned officers (NCO’s).
Although at first glance General George S. Patton is anything but creative, if you think about it, he is one of the most creative people of all time. Both his battle strategies and speeches were creative, bold, and extremely powerful. Each of his speeches, particularly his speech to the Third Army, are some of the most powerful and motivated I have read. Each and every speech he spoke riled his troops and made them want to crush the Nazis and win the war. Many people dislike Patton and his speeches because of his vulgar language, but there is no denying the effect the speeches had on the troops who served under him and the power in each word he spoke. http://www.wjpbr.com/patton.html
George S. Patton was one of the most highly regarded and successful military leaders in the history of the United States. His military career spanned from the expedition into Mexico throughout WWII. His ability to inspire his troops with his profane filled speeches and his position of always leading from the front gained him vast popularity and fame. Many political leaders considered him too controversial and intemperate at times. This reputation often overshadowed his determination and success as a commander. His bravery and many contributions to several of America’s war efforts has established him as one of the greats in American military history.
For a united nation to prosper, its people must overcome obstacles and take on numerous responsibilities. Throughout our lives, there are problems occurring continually in our world related to war and combat. During these times of hardship, we must remind ourselves to persevere and continue to defend the country. In addressing the Sylvanus Thayer Award on May 12, 1962, at the city of West Point, New York, General Douglas MacArthur urged Americans to remember the major responsibilities we have as Americans in his speech Duty, Honor, Country. With a position of authority, MacArthur powerfully stated that America will only survive through winning wars and fulfilling our duties. His main priority was to defend the nation, respect the nation,
General George S. Patton Jr. is considered one of the most brilliant soldiers in the United States army and one of the most feared American field officers, which earned him the nickname “Old Blood and Guts.” Patton contributed to American history by leading his troops to multiple victories during both World Wars.
Respected by most, yet feared by many, General George S. Patton was one of the most profound leaders the United States Army has ever had. He took part throughout the Mexican Revolution, World War One, and dominating the stage throughout World War Two. His career as an officer took stage shortly after his graduation from The United States Army Military Academy, where he branched as a cavalry officer (Patton, Wikipedia, 2017). Inpatient and young, he eventually went on his first deployment as a lieutenant to take part in the battle of San Miguelito. It was in Mexico that Patton met General John Joseph Pershing, where it is believed that he based a lot of his military leadership styles on the way Pershing led his troops (Pershing, Wikipedia, 2017). Through imitating Pershing, George had some of the most courageous leadership styles known widely throughout, where many praised his bravery, yet several found him foolish.
General George S. Patton once said that, “It is better to fight for something than live for nothing.” During his lengthy and successful military career, Patton proved these words.george had a some of his carrier in the civil war then he was shipped to Africa then he became the leader for seven different army.
Throughout history our country has had many leaders. Whether you’re the leader of a business, military platoon, or the leader of our great nation you were withheld with the honor and trust to govern the actions and best interests of fellow Americans. But just because you have achieved the title of a leader does not by default make you a good leader. A good leader is a person who has risen above and beyond to show cooperation, perseverance, and respect to decisions made by those still above you at one point in time. “As a seasoned member of the military, you’ve risen through the ranks because you understood your mission and performed your duties with distinction. At this stage of your career, your most important contribution may be how well you take care of the service members and
On November 11, 1885, in San Gabriel, California, George Smith Patton Jr., later on known as one of the most interesting military men in history was born. Throughout his early childhood, Patton would hear the heroic stories of his ancestors. It appeared that Patton’s ancestors fought in several wars, including the Civil, Mexican, and Revolutionary war. Could it be that being a military leader was in Patton’s genes? On June 11, 1909, Patton graduated the US Military Academy at West Point, New York- one of the best military academies in the U.S.