[April 10, 2019] Operation Desert Storm was a quick and decisive war against Saddam Hussein and his Iraqi army. Ejecting them from Kuwait in 1991 was to be the first foreign crisis since the end of the Cold War. But in the end, units came back to the U.S. broken. Many commanders had failed in their responsibility to properly lead their troops, and that is where I first saw that opportunity awaits when responsibility is abandoned.
I was a Battalion Intelligence Officer in an Engineer unit during the war. As our units began coming home, our soldiers were happy to be back, but in a few units their equipment was in terrible disrepair, and their paperwork was in disarray. In my battalion where there were five company commanders, two were relieved of duty for failing to properly care for their soldiers and equipment.
Our battalion commander came up to me and asked if I were willing to take over one of the units back in the U.S. Of course, you never say “no” to any command position in the military. If you refuse, you just ended your career (although they will never admit it). I readily agreed.
Psychologists often write about leaders who abdicate their responsibilities. What happens is of interest to them. For me, as a young Army Captain, it was an opportunity to prove that I could handle the stress and responsibility of the job of company command. Psychologist Dr. Jordan B. Peterson of the University of Toronto is fond of saying that the more responsibility we have, the better our lives will be experienced.
“Adopt responsibility for your own well-being, try to put your family together, try to serve your community, try to seek for eternal truth … That’s the sort of thing that can ground you in your life, enough so that you can withstand the difficulty of life.” – Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, Professor of Psychology
True to his writings, Dr. Peterson was right. The Engineer company I took over as its commander was extremely difficult to get it back on track; to fix the equipment and paperwork. However, it was immeasurably satisfying personally and professionally. The soldiers were great. The battalion staff was helpful, and our higher commander had nothing but good things to say about us. A valuable lesson in life was learned.
News from England on govt abdicating responsibility
Government abdicating responsibility for social care, say providers
Good video on Congress abdicating their responsibilities.
https://video.foxnews.com/v/5752993640001/#sp=show-clips
Interesting concept. I have seen some of Dr. Peterson’s Youtube videos and am impressed with his intelligence. If you want to get a new perspective on the Bible, listen to his series on it. Fascinating.
Thanks. I too have seen his analysis and really appreciated his articulation of important moral tenets. He believes that there is a biological basis for much of what we do as humans. He uses info from animal experiments to demonstrate his points.
Same here. Good thinking. Liberals, those who are the extremists, should watch him explain things instead of protesting him and what he says. Their protests help him bring his message to everyone.
Classic example of unintended consequencess.
Many of us in the West are so rich relative to the past that we just think we are privileged and that is the way things are every where. Not so! Get a grip people!
Fully agree with you. This is what exactly I had within. You gave my feelings words . Thanks
Good story, loved the quote.
Thanks, Gen. Satterfield for another informative blog post on a subject often overlooked.
Yep, I agree. I will add that we see this more and more in our society today because we are just too selfish other.
Yes. Thanks Drew.
Excellent commentary today. Well done!?
I agree. Everything I read here is applicable to being a leader in any place. I especially learn from Gen Satterfield about military applications.
Spot on comment.