Army Leadership
by Chaplain (CPT) David Shurtleff

"KILL, KILL, KILL"... the young trainees shout as they adjust position for the next physical training exercise, "BLOOD MAKES THE GRASS GROW GREEN"... others sing as they march to training. Many eyes betray the words their mouths are forced to speak.  Many faces display the conflict such chants raise within their hearts. These scenes cause my thoughts to race back to somber accounts of the atrocities that occurred at what came to be known as the My Lai Massacre. With sickened heart I read the details and was left to ponder why. Merely repeating the truism that war is hell was not enough. What was missing? What element of human nature had been removed or so overshadowed as to free the once captive sadistic side of humanity, allowing it free reign in the hearts of those involved? The answer was clear, yet seemingly contradictory: COMPASSION. Somehow the tragic events and circumstances of war had successfully removed or deeply buried the simple, powerful, essential element of compassion.

We are warriors and many bluntly characterize our mission as killing people and breaking things. Is there room for compassion in the heart and mind of the soldier? Can compassion peacefully coexist with the other Cs of leadership? Both history and experience testify that not only can compassion be a part of the makeup of a soldier, but it is essential. Compassion is the defining characteristic that separates a true soldier from the ruthless barbarian. Even a barbarian can have courage, commitment, competence and candor. But add compassion and the barbarian nature must give way to a new creature, a better creature, a compassionate soldier.

During the Persian Gulf War, I witnessed the epitome of a compassionate soldier, and the inestimable worth of such a soldier was brought forcefully home. I will always remember the scenes as they unfolded before me, compliments of CNN. There in full view was a young American soldier capturing a group of Iraqi soldiers. His M-16 in one hand, the other hand extended in directive action. Terrified, the Iraqis groveled at his feet. Their tones seemed to indicate fearful pleading for their lives. This soldier keenly alert and cautious, spoke firm but gentle words, words of command, mixed with compassionate words of reassurance that all would be well. I was deeply touched as I witnessed the perfect blend of warrior and warmth, of courage and compassion. Was that soldier ready to kill? I do not doubt that he was, if the circumstances so warranted. He was well trained. He was a professional. Yet with that training, with that understanding that he might have to kill, there existed the quality of compassion. As he looked upon those men begging before him he did not see an enemy dehumanized by ethnic slurs, but through the eves of compassion he saw human beings, men ordered by their government to perform a mission.  Men pleading for their lives, desperately longing to live, hoping to see again their families and loved ones.

Compassion as displayed by that American soldier is not only the power that binds up the baser side of human existence, a side war so readily unleashes, but it is also the great enabling power that brings with it compliance to the codes of conduct and laws of war. Our soldiers are trained to kill, yet also trained to avoid attacking noncombatants or using altered ammo to increase enemy suffering. Our soldiers are trained to destroy enemy targets, yet also taught to not cause more destruction than is necessary, nor destroy property unless absolutely required by their mission. Our soldiers are encouraged to take prisoners and obligated to treat them humanely. Compassion is the driving force that facilitates and ensures compliance with these and other principles of the Code of Conduct.

As soldiers enter basic training and first encounter the apparent conflicts between training to kill and maintaining compassion, many come forward with questions of compassion’s place or role within their lives as soldiers. I thank God that they feel such concerns. I am grateful that most want to accomplish their mission, most are willing to fight, to kill, to die in defense of this nation and its precious freedoms, but not at the expense of their humanity. Wisdom demands that they be encouraged to allow the enabling and restricting power of compassion to accompany their training, enlighten their judgment and to become an integral part of their lives as American soldiers.

Should there come a day when compassion is rooted out of the heart and soul of the American soldier, should our Army ever reach a point where soldiers become nothing more than inhuman killing machines, that will be the day when divine providence ceases to lend its blessed power over the freedoms of this country. That will be the day that we will be left to our own, weak, mortal efforts to defend our great nation. That will be the day when our army, our nation and our people will greatly suffer, a day that all that is good and worth fighting for will be lost and war will be waged for war’s sake.

Will it ever be so?  Not so long as our forces are filled with compassionate soldiers. Soldiers willing to fight, but looking hopefully to the day when peace will reign. Soldiers ready for war, prepared to kill, but praying for the day when "...they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." (Isaiah 2:4) Soldiers firm in their liberty, committed to their mission, competent in their skills, and with courage to use those skills or abstain from using them as compassion dictates. Most importantly, soldiers who will always hold deeply set within their hearts, the power, and the strength of true compassion. 

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Chaplain (CPT) David Shurtleff is currently stationed at Fort Campbell, KY.

Compassion and Leadership Values: Today’s Soldiers Reaching Out to a World in Need

by SGT Joanne M. Kline

On the surface, the words "compassion" and "soldier" seem to contradict each other. However, as the primary focus of military missions shifts from the deterrence of communism to worldwide humanitarian efforts, the mind set of the modern day soldier must also evolve.

(Although it is understood that today’s military missions include all elements of the United States Armed Forces, this paper will concentrate on Army soldiers and the doctrine by which these soldiers are trained).

The role of the military has changed dramatically in light of the new worldwide political atmosphere brought about by the break up of the Soviet Union. As the overall focus of military missions evolve, so must the role of today’s soldiers in carrying out those missions. The nature of humanitarian efforts dictates that soldiers’ beliefs and values will profoundly affect the outcome of such missions. Military leaders play an important role in reinforcing compassion as a value in the soldiers they lead.

The Role of the Modern Military

As the world embraces terms such as the "New World Order" and "Post Cold War Era," the military struggles to redefine its role in world affairs.  With the fall of the Berlin Wall and the breakup of the Soviet Union, it seems the primary focus of the military has shifted from the deterrence of communism to humanitarian missions.

Intervention into foreign affairs is not a new concept; however, there is new justification for military involvement in international crises. Kenneth Himes states, "Today we continue to find interventions taking place around the globe, but a new twist is that with increasing frequency the rationale given for such interventions is a humanitarian one."

Webster defines a humanitarian as "one devoted to the promotion of human welfare and the advancement of social reforms." If modern military missions, whether politically or economically motivated, can indeed be classified as humanitarian efforts, today’s soldiers must in essence be humanitarians. As such, soldiers must be able to accept these missions as worthwhile causes.

Soldiers as Humanitarians

As humanitarian missions become the norm, more and more soldiers will be sent into potentially dangerous areas in the name of compassion. In a recent article titled "Somalia Syndrome" by Mickey Kaus, an interesting point is raised, "Today’s soldiers knew they were going to be soldiers, but they did not know they were going to be humanitarians. Is it fair to ask someone who volunteered to die for America to die for Father Aristide?"

The issue is whether or not soldiers are willing to die for a humanitarian cause. Or perhaps, more to the point, should they even be asked to? Kaus states, "If it isn’t clear to today’s soldiers that they have volunteered to serve the national conscience as well as the national security, it will be clear to tomorrow’s."

The media has indeed made it clear what is expected of soldiers with regard to humanitarian missions such as the ones in Somalia, Haiti, and Cuba. Men and women will be sent hundreds, perhaps thousands of miles from home in the name of humanitarian aid. Perhaps the most difficult aspect of these missions is that the soldiers involved have no connection with the people they are supposed to help.

Herein lies the problem for military leaders. How will they instill a sense of purpose in their soldiers; what will be the motivating factor? If a mission is indeed humanitarian in nature then it follows that compassion would be the motivating factor. Therefore, if a mission is to succeed, compassion toward all human beings must be an integral part of a soldier’s belief system.

Reinforcing Values Through Leadership

It will not be debated here that the military should take responsibility for teaching soldiers compassion. There are numerous published works to support the argument that values and beliefs are instilled in human beings during the growing up process. Army Field Manual (FM) 22-100, Military Leadership, states, "Individual values, beliefs, and attitudes are shaped by past experiences involving such things as family, school, work, and social relationships."

Although it will not be argued that military leaders should teach compassion to their troops, it is reasonable to expect leaders to reinforce basic values. FM 22-100 goes on to say, "Leaders must understand the importance of nurturing and shaping beliefs and values in their subordinates because they are fundamental motivating factors."

A good leader influences the behavior of subordinates through example. A leader who lives by the principles of the professional Army ethic will have the respect of others. The four elements of the professional Army ethic, according to FM 22-100, are loyalty, duty, selfless service, and integrity. In addition to these attributes, all soldiers are expected to possess four individual values: courage, candor, competence, and commitment.

This list of values is the Army’s guide to being a well trained, reliable soldier. It should not, however, be thought of as all encompassing. To expect soldiers to be compassionate is not unreasonable, and in light of the humanitarian nature of modern military missions, it can be regarded as necessary.

Soldiers will naturally see that the reaction of young impressionable soldiers will be positive. That is to say, leaders who listen to soldiers and take an interest in both their professional and personal well-being teach through example. Soldiers learn the positive effects of caring for and helping others.

Developing this attitude in soldiers has a twofold advantage. Soldiers working in this type of atmosphere become a cohesive unit. They trust and depend on each other. In addition, by fostering an attitude of caring, soldiers may be better able to participate in humanitarian missions. The sense of caring will provide a purpose for helping fellow human beings no matter how physically distant they may be.

Conclusion

As political and military leaders evaluate the role of the military in today’s changing world, the individual soldier must not be overlooked. Because we live in an unpredictable world, the "train as you fight" focus of Army training will always be valid. However, the gap between soldiers as war-fighters and soldiers as humanitarians is quickly closing.

Leaders have a profound effect on the attitudes of their subordinates. The responsibility of being a role model must be taken very seriously. Compassion in leadership is necessary to reinforce strong values in soldiers. Through a strong value system, soldiers will be able to accept their role as humanitarians as well as the role of war-fighters.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

FM 22-100, Military Leadership, Department of the Army, Washington DC.

Himes, Kenneth R.,"The Morality of Humanitarian Intervention," Theological Studies, 1994, pp. 55, 82.

Kaus, Mickey,"Somalia Syndrome," The New Republic, 1994,  pp. 4, 211.

Webster’s II New Riverside University Dictionary, The Riverside Publishing Company, Boston, 1984.

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SGT Joanne M. Kline is stationed at Schofield Barracks, HI.

Army Leadership Values — Compassion as a Leader

by Sister George Mary Hagan

The Army leadership values include the gift of compassion. Compassion describes a way of being and acting. It speaks of empathy, being with, and feeling with the other person in their sorrows of life, the pain and heart brokenness that comes into each life. This pain can either embitter or mellow a person on the journey of life. Somehow, we experience the pain as we relate to the other person.

A leader in the Army should possess understanding as a form of compassion. Understanding the other person, as they relate to us with a compassionate heart can be a form of compassion as deep within, we somehow understand what they are experiencing and through this understanding, we can help to alleviate the pain and sorrow.

We can pour out compassion in a non-judgmental attitude. Although we may not understand actions of others with whom we attempt to lead, we leave the judgment to the Lord. Kindness to others in their pain helps them to be accepted in spite of their unbecoming behavior.

In the vivid imagery of the Apostle James, we see our ministry as "doers" of the word, and not merely "hearers," witnessing to the truth as much by how we live, as by what we say. We portray our values by our example. For the faith to be effectively shared, there is a need of witnessing compassion by the way we live the faith and show by our attitude and actions what the content of our faith is all about by caring for the soldier, and living the gospel of the great commandment of doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. By this we are indeed a Christian witness to the soldier who approaches us for help.

By compassion, the fire in life is lit and the heart is moved. Yet, you can’t force the heart. Compassion is walking with others. Suffering forces us into compassion. Our mind, will and heart must go out to others in compassion, and be compassionate people of God.

In "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder, Emily chooses to return to her home on her twelfth birthday, and she states, "Will someone please look at me?" In this we see that Emily is seeking recognition and compassion. Each soldier that we encounter is also seeking recognition and compassion, like Emily.

As Army leaders we can display compassion to soldiers especially when the young soldier comes back to church when he comes in the Army. These are sacred moments which give us an opportunity to show compassion. The moments of return are the big events of life like baptism, marriages, sickness, the death of a loved one, and personal decision making.

Andrew Greely says "Celebrate these moments" and show compassion. Do nothing to add to the sorrow of a funeral, and do nothing to diminish the joy of a marriage. We must be the ones to call forth these young soldiers. Our compassion is shown by our hospitality, by welcoming them back as the prodigal son was welcomed back. Our liturgies must speak to them by homilies that speak to them, and music that attracts them. By this compassion, the Army leader shows the soldier that his presence is valued. In Luke we see where he was asked in the story of the Good Samaritan, "Which one was his neighbor?" He replied, "The one who treated him with compassion." Jesus said to him, "Then go and do the same." He also tells us in Luke to "be compassionate as your Father is compassionate."

Emily Dickinson expressed her deep feeling of compassion for others in her beautiful poem:

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

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  Sister George Mary Hagan serves as the Director of Religious Education at Fort Knox, KY.