Physical and Moral Courage: An Essential Personal Attribute of a Successful Theater Strategic Commander

摘要

A strong, well-rounded leader is essential to the success of every organization. Successful leaders are developed throughout their life. As people mature, they are afforded experiences and opportunities that define their personal character and develop their personal attributes. As leaders progress through a career, their experiences, training, educational opportunities, and role models, both good and bad, influence the type of leadership skills they will employ in command. A successful theater strategic level commander embodies several key personal characteristics and attributes. Those attributes include physical and moral courage, a will to succeed, intellect and vision, an ability to motivate and communicate effectively, and presence. At the theater strategic command level, the correct decision can be the difference between victory or defeat and national objectives achieved or lost. The purpose of this paper is to identify why physical and moral courage are essential personal attributes of a successful strategic theater commander. A definition of a successful leader and a description of how one attains physical and moral courage will be used to support this concept. Historical illustrations of Geronimo, General Douglas MacArthur, General George Patton, Admiral William Halsey, and General Curtis LeMay are used to provide examples of successful strategic level commanders who possessed exceptional physical and moral courage. Finally, a recommendation will be provided for current or future senior leaders, describing how to grow, accentuate and demonstrate this paramount essential attribute to succeed and achieve victory in command.