This guy, in the last 30 seconds of the video talks about what is so humbling when you serve as a commander of troops.
"As an officer, you have the opportunity, the burden and privilege to look a young man in the eye and ask him to go do something, and they know in all likelihood what you're asking them to do means they're not coming back. And these American soldiers look you in the eye and they wink, and say "Got it, sir," and they grab their weapon and off they go. And that is such a privilege, to wear that uniform and to be the Old Man, at the age of 23 or 24, and there is nothing in life that compares to that responsibility."
This guy gets it Command is the ultimate privilege. He says that he considers himself a visitor among heroes.
I recently watched a YT video of the Lost Battalion (WWI, Argonne). Gripping. Heart wrenching. Men of courage accomplishing the impossible.
ReplyDeleteAnd as an officer - especially as a company grade officer who is face to face with those soldier - you wonder if, when that moment comes, will you measure up. Measure up to what the soldiers expect of you. Measure up to what you expect of yourself. Measure up to what you need to be to succeed in the mission and bring as many of those soldiers home as possible. And until you see the elephant - which I never did, for better or worse - you never know.
ReplyDelete