Essay

[Agares Tretiak]

So I wrote a short essay and sent it to the Imperator, and now he's all like POST IT NOW! D:<

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Military Discipline

"Military Discipline is a state of order and obedience existing within a command. It involves the ready subordination of the will of the individual for the good of the group. Military discipline is an extension and specialized application of the discipline demands habitual but reasoned obedience that preserves initiative and functions unfalteringly even in the absence of the commander. Discipline is created within a command by instilling a sense of confidence and responsibility in each individual." -Anonymous

This description clearly defines all the necessary basic components that compromise military and it's use. Without it, an organization with the oft times grim purpose as the military, would not be able to survive. It is as much as self-imposition of will and moral strength, as it is an enforced set of rules from commanders. The self-disciplined make the most accomplished soldiers, because they understand the need to master themselves in every respect, in order to better accomplish whatever goals or tasks are given to them. The poor solider suffers in ignorance of this need, and serves to destroy those around them through an inability to exert the necessary restraint.

Can a military create such discipline in every soldier? Truthfully, no. A military can provide every tool, every environment necessary to foster such a thing as discipline, but only the individual in the military can actually become disciplined. It is a matter of choice, and because of that, not everyone who joins a military will exhibit such traits. However, this does not mean that a soldier, of high rank or low, should never try to develop discipline in themselves or those who are around or subordinate to them. This sharing of experience, knowledge, and will can impart the crucial catalyst for the otherwise reluctant soldier who has no self-discipline.

It can be seen in many of the various, deep, and ancient military traditions that soldiers of legendary stature and skill attained such through hard work and a total dominance over themselves. The Japanese samurai, the Roman legionnaire, the European Knight, the Native American Warriors, the Persian Immortals, and the Laconic hopilite were all known for their ability to control themselves in order to achieve victory and the skill needed to help themselves and their comrades in arms through battle. The essence of this can be found in devoting one's time away from only military pursuits that required discipline, but others as well, ranging from practical to sublime. The Samurai were known to study flower arranging, the Knights studied hunting and courtly graces, the legionnaires were made of farmers and various tradesmen, the Immortals studied poetry and math. Discipline can be found in the devotion to not only the tasks one enjoys, or are good at, but also the tasks that one disdains or dislikes most. By forcing oneself to work on things one would normally find boring or senseless, one can strengthen their resolve, and even find purpose they did not realize existed previously.

A successful military creates conditions where these things are encouraged and allowed to grow. The modern military often offer college level education and training as well scholarships to it's soldiers to make them better individuals, on and off the battlefield. By following the long established tradition of self discipline, it allows an officer to better conduct his men and save their lives in combat because he can focus on applying each man where he is most needed, rather than addressing each soldier's weaknesses in self control on the eve of battle.This is how an army can help ensure it's victory, because each soldier has been gifted the confidence in themselves and their peers as well as superiors, that allows them to carry the day as a team.

Praetorian Guardsman Agares Tretiak

[Aryte]

:D Very good.