Deming graphic., 1919-12-30
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF COMMAND

The American Legion weekly Is CON-
ing OUT strongly for 'humanized'
army. one IN which discipline can be
maintained without resorting to hard
boiled" measures TO maintain II. II
believes that there are "a few regular
army officers, who, while well trained
and able, no doubt seem TO believe
somewhate In the ME und Gott" theo-
~. And IL would seem that the atti-
tude OF some volunteer officers Is
patterned bit after this style OF com
mand. What the army needs are
leaders, not disclplinarians. A leader
will have discipline when the hard
boiled" officers organization has en-
tirely broken down. The Iron hand"
win work alright when the hand is
there and is endowed with the strength
to exert the pressure, but, alas, even
the best disciplinarians are sometimes
absent or their hands are stayed by
one OF a million weaknesses 10 which
flesh Is heir. There Is always a lead
er In the ranks when body Of men
have been trained by real commander.
His system distributes the RESPONSE
bilities OF command and mechanism
functions on when he Is absent or deal.
II has been observed how easily
some officers get the best out Of their
men without ''balling them out" Men
will think and act on their own ini-
tiative when not too dependent ON one
man and II has been observed how
quickly they will react 20 cover up the
mistakes Of their commander by do
ing what he has trained them to do In
an emergency. In other words they
are well-trained men. not well-adjust
ed machines. The best machine will
stop when a pivot drops out. but the
best men replace what Is missing In
the great human machine just by TAX
ing thought, and the machinery never
stops. Well-trained men, too, know
that their commander has weaknesses
that he will make errors-and they
respect him no less because Of his hui
man failisgs. Anyway. the command
er that is trying to make his men he
lieve that he Is infallible Is only fool
ing himself. Is riding 10 fall. While
the commander may chide for errors
OF judgment. he will take thought not
10 distnrb the basis Of mutual affec-
tiOn and cooperation.
The judgment OF go men on thels
captain Is n better estimate Of his real
ability than a report on him by the
general staff. There Is nothing too
small for the men TO observe-eyery
act. word, expression. almost his very
thoughts are under their scrutiny. And
there Is plenty and enough intelligence
among go American youths to put any
commander 10 the severest test. II he
qualities he has received the highest
award that could he given him and he
can sleep well and sOundly with the
knowledge that his men are at their
posts and that his will expressed, inn
piled or apparent Is being carried out
to the letter. They know, almost as
well az he does. what he wants done.
and for pure love OF him. often against
their own Judgment, they execute his
will. because they find pleasure In
pleasing him. II takes the edge off the
sharp duties Of a soldier 10 know that.
however hard the task Is. II Is for the
best interests Of all concerned to see
Il well done and that every man will
win approval for his best efforts and
only just dinpproval and punishment
for duties disreearled.
II Is curious thing that men win
bear the severest reBrimand or punish
ment without complaining when they
know that the fault lies with them and
that none guilty win escape the wrath
Of the just eommaDder. A unit or
eanizei on these lines furnishes lis
own discipllnarians and discipline. The