Page 109 - NAVAL SCIENCE 3 TEXTBOOK

114 LEADERSHIP

It would be l1,ft've, however, to suggest that all leaders in the warned, but the supreme threat is the loss of the job by firing. On
N~vy, the government, business, or anywhere else are continu- the other hand, a worker who is dissatisfied with a job may quit.
ollsly efficient, invariabl)' honest, ~nd always perform their duties In the military, corrective actions are a primi.H}' responsibil-
responsibly and with honor. ""e know that our kadel's should do it}, of leadership. The leaders must know their personnel and take
things that wily, of course, and we hilve a right to expect thilt they Cilre of their needs, and mllst insist on the acceptance and exercise
do. When leaders f.1il to fulfill their responsibilities, society has the of personal moral responsibility, The naval leader must accept this
right to demand correcli\'e action, and in seriolls cases, punish- responsibility by regulation, but must also do so for the practical
ment under the lilw. reason that it is necessary if the crew is to be a working team that
In an}' event, when a leader fails to back subordinates, shows can respond properly to emergency situations and carry out the
favoritism, condones dishonesty, allows sloppy work, 01' evades unit's mission.
legitimate regulations, the reputation of not just the leader involved
but of all leaders in the organization is jeopardized. ~\'Illtual respect,
Discipline
trust, and understanding can prompt all hands to exercise a greater
degree of personal responsibility. Then morale will be higher, effi- Discipline is the basis of true democracy. It requires rules of con-
ciency will be improved, and burdens will be lighter. duct that humans, through experience, have found desirable for
The word of a leader sholiid be dependable. Consequently, if governing relations among members of civilized societ}'. Such rules
leaders cannot make good on their word or their promises, they of conduct do not deprive Illl individual of fundamental rights; in
should not make commitments. NeFer promise IV/wt ((fIlIlOt be fact, they protect everyone's equal rights.
delil'ered. Keeping your word is important evidence of personal Formal rules that are put into eftect by duly constituted author-
hOllOI'. If you do not m ~ke a special efforl to uphold your word, ity, such as a city council or state legislature, are called law:), Other
you will lose the respect of subordilllltes and Ilssocilltes, and the informal rules that hi.",e become a part of our culture by custom
attitudes of all around you will be adversel), affected. A sense of and usage are caUed COI/ I'elltioIlS.
honesty and mutual trllst must be present if a military unit is to Discipline is the training that develops self-control, charac-
op~rate efficiently, ter, or efficiency. It is important both in civilian Illld military life.
Discipline does not imply severity, unreasonable restraint of free-
dom, or unnecessary restrictions. Discipline means control of COI1-
Conduct in Uniform
duct so there can be a coordination of effort fo r the good of all,
The naval leader mllst do all in his or her power to prcvent improper A dictionary defines discipline as "control gained by enforcing
actions by naval personnel. Often the cause for such actions is dis- obedience," or "that state of orderliness gained through self-con-
satisfaction with conditions in their unit, ship, or statioll. If a per- trol and orderly conduct." A description of discipline in military
sall docs not like the work assignment or living conditions, feels terms would be "that degree of control which moves an organized
that command policies are unfair, or has troubles ilt home, weaker group to appropriate action upon receipt of an order. or in antici-
subordinates may resort to unauthorized absence, to alcohol or pation of that order when circumstances prevent its being gh'en."
substance abuse, or to other forms of escape. Such individuals may A military organization could not function properly without
make it impossible for the unit to accomplish its mission. orderliness and orderly conduct. Admiral Arleigh llurke. USN. a
A military leader hilS the responsibility to know the needs of former chief of naval operations, stated: "i\ well-disciplined orga-
subordinates and to know their am:.ieties. It is his or her duty to nization is one whose members work with enthusiasm, willingness,
remind them of their responsibility to conduct themselves prop- Illld zest, <IS individu<1ls and as a group, to fulfill the mission of the
erly nt all times, to reflect credit on their families, their service, and organization with expectation of success." The signs of discipline in
their nation, .md to be ready to perform their duties whenever i.l military org.miztltion can be seen in smart stllutes, proper wearing
required to do so. of the uniform, and prompt and correct action in any emergency.
The big ditlerence between civilian and military leadership, The purpose of discipline in the military services is to develop
hO\\'e\'er, comes in the corrective actions expected of the leader- an efficient organization of personnel trained to achievc i.l common
ship. In civilian institutions a certain degree of concern is gener- goal. Each person should know where he or she fits into the orga-
ally exercised, often reflected in things like insurance coverage nization. Each should understand that all ill the group hiwe i.l com-
Ilnd some concern for health and safety conditions all the job, mOil purpose and that all are to follow and abc}' their leader. Such a
1110stly to increase productivity, sat is~' laws, or abide by union group is so well organized and trained that it Ci.U1 handle any emer-
agreements. But there is little concern for, or involvement in, the gency, as well as normal routine tasks. A \\'elJ-disciplined military
employee's home life, recreation, financial well-being, ethics. or liv- unit responds automatically to an emergenc)' and will not panic.
ing conditions. The worker punches in, does the job, punches out,
and leaves. A worker who doesn't do the job satisfactorily may be