Yet a certain degree of criticism always exists, even within the most conformist environment, as some individuals place thcir professional duty before their careers. But these men are unlikely to receive the promotional rewards of a peacetime army and may even burn themselves out by the effort required to swim against the tide of conformity. Such individuals tend to gravitate into specialist areas where their talents are appreciated and the need for heroic leadership accepted. A successful career is denied to this group because their non-conformity becomes increasingly disruptive, or they lapse into sheer bloody-mindedness in reaction to earlier disappointment. If the level of criticism becomes too embarrassing the organism will attempt to expel, isolate or discredit the source. During Vietnam a Lieutenant Colonel King conveyed his disgust with the US Army to the Secretary of the Army in the following terms: . . . It is impossible to render honest, beneficial service to the nation or the army in the atmosphere of fear, repression, injustice and selfish career promotion and advancement-seeking that flourish within the command levels of the US Army. - Captain R.A.D. Applegate, RA, Why Armies Lose in Battle: An Organic Approach to Military Analysis, Royal United Services Institute, Vol 132, No 4, Dec 87
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 21:05:00 +0000