More Leadership

Lets explore some snippets from some of the world's famous leaders; from Julian Thompson's Call to Arms Military Speeches
Alexander the Great
     There is no need for me to rouse you, my officers, to valor, when that valor is already within you. Let me remind you to persevere discipline in the hour of danger- to advance when called upon to do so, in utter silence; to watch the time for a hearty cheer, and when the moment comes, to roar out your battle cry and put the fear of God into the enemy's hearts.
     All must obey orders promptly and pass them on without hesitation to your men.; and finally, every one of you must remember that upon the conduct of each of you depends the fate of all; if each man attends to his duty, success was assured; if one man neglected it, the army will be in peril.

Hannibal
     We have nothing left in the world but what we can win with our swords. Timidy and cowardice are for men who can see safety at their backs- can retreat without molestation along some easy road and find refuge in familiar fields of their native land; but they are not for you: you must be brave; for you there is no middle way between victory or death- put all hope of it from you, and either conquer, or should fortune hesitate to favor you, meet death in battle rather than in flight.

Scipio Africanus
     Go therefore, to meet the for with two objects before you, either victory or death. For men animated by such a spirit must always overcome their adversaries, since they go into battle ready to throw away their lives.

Shakespeare, Henry V (Act 3, Scene 1)
     In peace there's nothing so becomes a man, as modest stillness and humility: But when the blast of war blows in our ears, then imitate the action of the tiger; stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, disguise fair nature with hard-favored rage.
     Because by the God in Heaven upon whose Grace I have relied and in whom is my firm hope of victory, I would not, even if I could, have a single man more than I do. For these I have with me are God's people, whom he deigns to let me have at this time. Do you not believe, that the Almighty, with these his humble few, is able to overcome the opposing arrogance of the French, who boast of their great number and their own strength.

Joan of Arc
     In God's name go bravely!

Jean de la Valette, Hospitallier (Malta)
     We now know that we must not look to others for our deliverance. It is only upon God and our own swords that we must rely. Yet this is no reason why we should be disheartened. Rather the opposite, for it is better to know the truth of one's situation than to be deceived by specious hopes. Our faith and the honor of our order are in our own hands. We shall not fail.

Frederick the Great
     The best strategem is to lull the enemy into security at the time when the troops are about to disperse and go into winter quarters, so that by retiring, you may be enabled to advance on them with good purpose. With this view in mind the troops (yours) should be made to assemble for attack. If successful, you may recover in a fortnight the misfortunes of a whole campaign.
     Gentlemen, the enemy stands behind his entrenchments armed to the teeth. We must attack him and win, or else perish. Nobody must think of getting through in any other way. If you don't like this you may resign and go home.

Prince Alexander Suvorov, Field Marshall
     The greater the enemy, the more they will fall over one another, and the easier it will be for us to cut through.
     Only pursuit destroys a running enemy. A strong pursuit gives no time for the enemy to think, take advantage of victory, up root him, cut off his escape.

General U.S. Grant
     Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike at him as hard as you can and as soon as you can, and keep moving on.

Capt. Jean Danjou, French Foreign Legion
     We have munitions. We will not surrender.

Admiral William Halsey, USN
     Hit hard, hit fast, hit often.

LTC "Chesty" Puller, USMC
     Be a model of valor by example and precept. There are many qualities in one man, but one that is absolutely necessary is stark courage.

General Douglas MacArthur, USA
     Duty, Honor, Country... They are your rally point to build courage when courage seems to fail... they build your basic character. They mould you for your future roles as the custodians of the nation's defense. They make you strong enough to know when you are weak, and brave enough to face yourself when you are afraid. They teach you to be proud and unbending in honest failure, but humble and gentle in success; not to substitute words for action; not to seek the path of comfort, but to face the stress and spur of difficulty and challenge; to learn to stand up in the storm, but to have compassion on those who fall; to master yourself before you master others; to have a heart that is clear, a goal that is high; ... the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength... They teach you in this way to be an officer and a gentleman... It's requirements are for the things that are right, and it's restraints are for the things that are wrong. The soldier, above all other men, is required to practice the greatest acts of religious training- sacrifice. The soldier above all other people prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.

General George S. Patton, USA
     We can and will win. God helping. When one attacks it is the enemy who has to worry. Give us victory Lord!
     Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow and of the man who leads that gains victory.