Patton's Fighting Principles

Leadership Principles for the new ADP 6-22; A Monograph by Major Gregory W. McLean, US Army, SAMS, AY 2012-001

"Patton's Fighting Principles" taken from his letter of instruction issued to his Army before D-Day, on 6 March 1944:

Everyone was to "lead a person."
A commander who failed to reach his objectives and who was not dead or severely wounded has not done his full duty.
Visit the front daily – to observe, not to meddle.
Praise is more valuable than blame.
Your primary mission as a leader is to see with your own eyes and be seen by your troops while engaged in personal reconnaissance.
Persons who did not rest will not last.
Plans had to be simple and flexible.
Information is like eggs: the fresher the better.
Orders are to be short to tell what to do not how.
Tell the troops what they are going to do and what they have done.
Visit the wounded personally and frequently. Award decorations promptly.
If you do not enforce and maintain discipline, you are a potential murderer.
Men in condition do not tire.
Courage, don’t make counsel of your fears.

Posted by regimentalrogue at 12:01 AM EST

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