All My Troops

 

As an officer in the Army, I served in a variety of leadership positions at numerous levels. I learned very quickly that the Army did not let me choose my soldiers. Oh, there were times in which I was allowed influence in certain key positions; but, normally expected me to lead and train whatever troops they sent me. It was up to me to lead them to success. I also found out that most of my soldiers did not share my worldview. Some of them embraced a radically different lifestyle. That is not a criticism of them. We just looked at things differently. The Army required that I evaluate their character on the Army values of: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. I was also obliged to evaluate their ability to conform to Army standards and perform their duties as assigned. As long as their personal proclivities or tastes did not impact on their ability to serve, I could not denigrate them. We embraced the idea that it said, “US Army” on our uniforms. Of course, this diversity led to interesting late-night conversations in the barracks, command posts, foxholes, and during long convoys. But in a secular multi-cultural Army, you must embrace this style of leadership.

As a leader of troops, I needed to take care of all the soldiers assigned to me. I was responsible for setting the conditions for their success. I was also responsible for defending them no matter what their personal beliefs were. I was especially cognizant that the weakest members of my soldiers, those of the lowest ranks and various minorities of all types, were especially vulnerable to predatory behaviors of others, especially those senior in rank. It was up to me to create a command environment that fostered the success of all my soldiers, not just the ones that looked and thought like me. As long as they did their duties, lived up to the Army values, and did not get into some sort of legal trouble, they would enjoy my encouragement, support, training, and protection…yes protection. As a leader, I needed to make sure that not only did I create a command climate that was fair towards all my soldiers, but I also had to make sure that I protected all of my soldiers, regardless of their personal worldview. When I did that my soldiers prospered and my organization functioned well.

Our politicians need to embrace this mental paradigm. Like it or not, we are a secular multi-cultural nation. We started down this road long ago, long before we even considered revolution. An interesting letter from the home office in Amsterdam to Peter Stuyvesant, the governor of New Amsterdam in the mid 1600s, instructed him to let those of differing beliefs alone as long as they were peaceable and abided by the laws. This decision set our nation on a course of letting those of differing worldview alone. It also means that I must learn to live next to and respect the rights of those whose worldview differs from mine…perhaps even drastically. Our politicians need to remember that they represent all the members of their constituency, not just the ones who elected them. This is especially important for the president.

Our president serves as the only nationally elected official. Every other elected official serves a smaller constituency. It is incumbent upon the president to remember that they must keep the needs of all the nation in mind as they make decisions, not just those who elected them. Those weakest members of our society look to the White House for support and protection. As a commander of troops, I had to keep all my soldiers in mind. In a like fashion, the president needs to keep all the citizens of the nation in mind as he leads. This does not mean that he makes decisions that everyone likes. Indeed, a president is elected based on what they say they will do in office, and they need to fulfill those promises. But he needs to remember that even those with differing worldviews look to him for protection. Success at the ballot box does not justify policy abuse. 

In Ezekiel 47:21-23 we find an interesting and instructive passage. Through the prophet, God provided the Jews instructions for reoccupying the Promised Land. He told them that they would find “sojourners” there, people who were not Israelites. They were not to drive them out. Instead, they were to treat them as native-born children of Israel and give them an inheritance alongside the returning Jews. While the situation is not the same, the instructions to those in power are very relevant.

Those in power must remember to take care of those who are weak and vulnerable. Power does not grant license to abuse or trample the weak. Those in power must wield it in ways that not only fulfills the desires of those who elected them but also protects the weakest and marginalized members of society. To do otherwise is to abuse power.