There is a story that comes out of Armor Officer Basic, that dates back to when ole George Patton was organizing the OCS school at Fort Know prior to WWII...
The story goes that Patton gathered the first group of candiates together and said "Gentlemen! This is your first lesson in how to be an officer! I want this flag pole erected before retreat!"
He then stood back and listened to the converstations that followed. Various plans to use tripods or manpower to raise the pole, how deep to dig the foundation, when to mount the hardware, and so on...
GSP finally called the group to attention and said "Gentlemen, I have listened to your various ideas and you have come up with some intresting ideas. But you are in training to become officers. There is only one correct answer to the question of getting this flag pole erected in time for retreat." George then turned to a NCO who was standing nearby. "Sergeant, organize a detail and have this flag pole erected in time for retreat!"
There are many who concentrate on the infamous slapping incidents, on GSP's outbursts with the press, there are even some you claim that he was promoted to fast and to high a position. But no soldier who ever served in the Third Army under him, ever had anything but the highest of praise for him as a fighter, and above all else as an officer and as a leader.
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The reason that the American Army does so well in wartime, is that war is chaos, and the American Army practices chaos on a daily basis.
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