Power of Courage In Combat and Danger

By Halim Ozkaptan, PhD, Gen. Crosbie Saint and Col. Robert Fiero

This book addresses the critical importance of courage in combat and when in a dangerous situation. A soldier’s combat performance pivots on his courage. Without it, all other combat qualities may be forfeited. A soldier’s duty is in essence an act of courage, which cannot be counted on in every soldier and in every situation. How then does an Army maintain that fragile heart of courage in their own soldiers, while destroying the will and courage of their enemy? Military leaders have recognized that it is the will of the soldier that is decisive. Combat is a mutual and sustained act of will between contending parties. A battle is usually decided when the soldier, or one side, loses its moral resolution to stand and fight. This book describes the factors that contribute to the soldier’s will and spirit to preserve in combat.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 2, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312568877

Book preview

Power of Courage In Combat and Danger

Power of Courage

in

Combat and Danger

Halim Ozkaptan, PhD

with

Gen. Crosbie Saint, USA Ret.

&

Col. Robert Fiero, USA Ret.

Copyright @ 2013 by Halim Ozkaptan, PhD; Gen. Crosbie Saint; Col. Robert Fiero

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means - whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic – without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-312-56887-7

[e-mail]

Photo: Courtesy of the Association of the United States Army

DEDICATION

Dedicated to warriors of the past, present and future that go in harm’s way, to protect our freedoms. They have kept America free so that we can live under the sacred promises of our Constitution. No American has a greater investment in America’s future than our veterans and current military personnel. Let Americans never forget that they possess the noble inheritance of freedom due to the sacrifices, suffering and blood of their military personnel.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to thank Col. James Hickey for writing the Prologue to this book. We also thank LTG Ted Stroup, USA Ret. and Col. Roger Cirillo, USA Ret. for their support and contributions. A special thanks to CSM Dan Elder and CSM George Horvath for their review of the manuscript and providing their insights and comments.

FOREWORD

The Power of Courage - a soldier’s fortitude, the inner strength to face  adversity, fear and hardship during combat with confidence and resolution, the will to preserve, overcome adversity and win.

Military leaders throughout history have been concerned with the question what makes a soldier fight? What is it that gives the soldier the determination and will to succeed, despite the danger and adversity with which he is faced? Why does one soldier persevere, while another panics under the same circumstances? Why do some units fight to the end while others disintegrate without any undue threat or opposing force? Superior forces have been held in abeyance or routed by smaller and less technically advanced Armies throughout history.

A soldier’s combat performance pivots on his courage. Without it, all other combat qualities may be forfeited. A soldier’s duty is in essence an act of courage, which cannot be counted on in every soldier and in every situation.  How then does an Army maintain that fragile heart of courage in their own soldiers, while destroying the will and courage of their enemy? Military leaders have recognized that it is the will of the soldier that is decisive. Combat is a mutual and sustained act of will between contending parties. A battle is usually decided when the soldier, or one side, loses its moral resolution to stand and fight.

The reasons for a soldier’s courage are many and complex. They underlie the very nature of man. An Army’s effectiveness depends upon the degree to which the principles underlying the nature of man and of men acting together, in combat are understood and acted upon. Ultimately, courage in combat is the heart of our profession. It is not a common commodity and the factors that lead to a soldier’s courage must recognized and developed. Many of the factors contributing to a soldier’s performance in combat have been intuitively discerned by successful military leaders. This book consolidates this information and presents ways with which you can stiffen the initiative and resolve of your soldiers. As a leader, you are in a unique and critical position to train and prepare your soldiers for combat. How well leaders blend doctrine, training and peacetime needs normally results in the degree of combat effectiveness of their unit. It is a vital part of your soldier’s training and preparation for combat. No greater challenge exists considering the combat skills required, diversity of missions and combat environments. Your success ultimately will be determined by the ability of your soldiers to fight, preserve and win despite the fear and adversity with which they will be faced.  As the Army changes or the scope of the commitment increases, the need for increased readiness is higher. This places an even greater burden on you, the leader, to properly prepare your unit and soldiers for combat.

This book describes the factors that contribute to the soldier’s will and spirit to preserve in combat. Courage goes beyond esprit de corps and addresses a soldier’s fortitude. A framework is presented relative to the Army training model of Leader, Individual and Collective Training to meet this goal, the demands of the modern battlefield and the expectations of your soldiers. A set of principles, with illustrative techniques, are described to provide an insight into ways developing and harnessing a soldier’s courage. The rationale for these considerations is also presented, so that you and your sub-ordinate leaders understand the importance of these principles, and can act on them with confidence.

Conquering fear by summoning courage is a neglected human dimension that is an important combat and performance multiplier for professions that go in harm’s way.  Why a person risks their life in the face of danger and how courage can be developed is explained. We recognize that other professions also need courage to perform their tasks, e.g. Policemen, Firemen, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Teams, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and Federal Agents. Through tough and realistic training, high risk professions can reduce the fear of their personnel by increasing their fortitude or inner strength. However, the soldier is the key focus of this effort. The term warrior is used to represent all members of the military that face danger.

It is the fighting spirit and determination of the soldiers that most often     turns the tide of battle. The ability of a commander to instill their esprit de corps to train the soldiers to not accept defeat, to make them technically   competent, and above all, to make them determined to win is a major key ingredient of success in any hazardous profession. All of the necessary skills can be taught by the competent commander. They increase the opportunities for victory, but in the end, it is the determination and will of the soldier that   decides the outcome.

Gen. Crosbie E. Saint, 1992

Preface

This effort began with a common interest shared by the authors. While addressing training needs, our conversation led to the tough question, what makes one soldier conquer his fear and fight better than another? Veterans’ accounts of their fear during combat and firsthand experience provided the forum for more discussion and research into this perplexing question. By way of an example, one of the authors asked his father, a soldier in World War I, Weren’t you afraid? He replied, Yes, but the other man was also afraid. While many historians and scientists have addressed the subject of fear and courage, none have answered the important question of how a person’s courage can be developed. These shortcomings became the catalyst for the book. An explanation is given as to what leads to a person’s courage and heroism and how it can be fully developed through training.

The thesis of this book is that in the presence of danger, every person must deal with the effects of fear. Through properly conducted training and team work, courage can be developed. As a result, fear will be offset by increasing the fortitude and inner strength of their personnel. A person’s fortitude is what leads to courage in the face of danger. To support this thesis, a set of principles with illustrative techniques and representative applications are described to provide an insight into ways of developing courage and teamwork during training. The rational for these considerations is also presented, so that they can be acted upon with confidence. These principles also apply to any profession that faces danger, such as Policeman, Firemen, SWAT Teams, EMT and Federal Agents.

It is our hope that the thoughts, ideas and concepts outlined in this book will assist all leaders in better understanding and addressing the individual spirit of their warriors (e.g. pride, self confidence and discipline), and the collective spirit of their unit (e.g. comradeship and élan).  This individual and collective spirit leads to a warrior’s fortitude, the inner strength to face adversity, fear and hardship with confidence and resolution . . . the will to persevere and succeed in this mission – The Power of Courage.

The Authors

Prologue

COL. James B. Hickey

[1]

La Fiere, France:  After sunrise on 25 March, 2002 a solitary thin, slightly hunched figure stood facing a small group of professional soldiers.   Without a word he stared for some moments at the young men. Slowly turning about, he then surveyed the ground before him. Breathing in the cool, damp morning air he assessed the features of familiar landmarks just becoming recognizable.  Small patches of fog still lay over stretches of the Merederet River. The sun rays made visible tree lines and small villages against the still dark western horizon.   Tall grass and reeds were bright green and yellow along the river’s banks.  Off to the left front a small grey stone bridge glistened still wet with dew. The morning quiet only increased the sense that they all stood on hallowed ground. In an instant the retired brigadier snapped back around, stood straight and in a clear, unambiguous tone declared your duty is to fight.  Thus began a three day trip back into time. More than a tour of battlefields, monuments, and museums, this journey was a period professional tutoring and mentorship. The brigadier spoke not only of combat actions or the historical importance of critical decisions made by numerous opposing commanders; he also spoke of the human dimension of war and combat. In particular, he emphasized why men fight and how certain men displayed the ability to change outcomes by determined, courageous action. In one example after another he illustrated how intrepid soldiers could grab, in his words, the pendulum of battle and unexpectedly shifts the momentum and change the direction of battle. His fatherly, patient and often humorous manner fostered trust, interest and esteem. He explained why soldiers, in the face of uncertainty, wounding and death, fought.  In a time honored fashion this decorated combat officer passed on a life time of lessons born of experience, study and reflection.  These were timely lessons.  Little did any of us know that many of his students would soon find themselves in combat far from hedgerows of Normandy. The Staff Ride Concept is effectively used by the US Army to train and develop leaders.

Indeed, our duty is to fight; and win.  It is on the battlefield that soldiers ultimately serve their purpose. Combat is the essence of war. It is what makes war different from all other human endeavor. Though war’s character evolves and adapts over time, space and circumstance, its basic nature remains unchanged.  An aspect of that nature is the hard, brutal nature of armed combat.   Regardless of the political, strategic and cultural context of a war, its ultimate outcome is determined by the opposing groups of armed belligerents on the battlefield. It is entirely human in its nature.  Without success in these tactical actions, battles and, in turn, campaigns can’t be won. Needless to say strategic aims would have no chance of fulfillment.

Soldiers must be prepared with the requisite skills and psychological hardening to not only survive, but to endure and win. The shock of battle can overwhelm those not adequately prepared. Throughout the ages hard lessons have been learned as to what constitutes proper preparation for combat. Thucydides has warned us. The question for any nation or army at present is how to adapt and apply these lessons today.

The material reviewed in this book represents the lessons learned by many experienced soldiers. The principles, tactics, techniques and procedures reflect the collective wisdom of scores of leaders from one of the most professional fighting forces ever fielded: today’s United States Army. Being descriptive and not prescriptive, it aims to guide leaders. If read carefully and reflected upon, this work will prove to be an invaluable tool in aiding leaders in estimates, assessments and concept development.

Preparation for combat is complex and continuous. In fact it is the central focus of armies in times of peace. In war, it is only second to active combat. The effort is multi-faceted and forward looking. It, however, must also be well anchored on principle and hard won experience. Indeed, the past serves as prologue. The most successful armies have displayed the sustained ability to learn, anticipate and adapt more rapidly than their enemies. Done well, it produces forces of superior combat power and endurance.  Leader development; updated, promulgated and practiced doctrine; modern weapons and equipment; realistic, relevant training; and well adapted combat organization are key components. Vital are two elements: determined, imaginative field commanders skilled in the art of war and tough, reliable soldiers with the will and skills to close with and destroy the enemy.

Given combat’s nature, the most successful armies have prudently tailored organization, doctrine, training and weapon’s development around the human beings who must face the greatest risks and endure the hardest demands. Those combat troops who live and fight in close proximity of the enemy and suffer the effects of inhospitable terrain and weather are the souls who make all the difference between victory and defeat. It is they who represent our most important credentials in war.  Their adequate preparation is both a strategic as well as a moral imperative.

It has been my experience that a soldier’s confidence is everything. That soldier will do just about anything. Confidence in mission, self, unit, equipment and leadership is vital. It is a product of time, teamwork, effort and focus. It is an essential outcome of training and operational rehearsal. For the American soldier confidence in mission is particularly important. Today, as he has throughout our nation’s history, the American soldier is well educated, literate and informed. Independent in nature he is always inquisitive. Wise leaders ensure the soldier fully understands the task at hand and its intended purpose. The time and effort dedicated to this provide both a strong basis for soldier confidence as well as all important tactical initiative.

Preparing the soldier for battle and leading him to his first line of departure is one thing, keeping him in the fight after repeated contacts is another. Well trained and equipped soldiers confidently go into first contact. Most often they are exhilarated and buoyed by having prevailed. Demonstrated effectiveness in tactical leadership, weapons and medical support reinforce confidence. Unit success and having proved one’s valor instills profound pride and self respect. Over time and continued engagements, however, tension develops. This is particularly so after his unit sustains casualties and tactical reverses. The loss of friends and leaders, the fundamental unpredictability of battle and the demonstrated ability of the enemy to fight begins to affect a soldier’s confidence. Though some soldiers are indeed fearless most begin to realize that their ability to control fear, at times, ebbs. Factors such as fatigue, lack of good food, illness, harsh weather, inadequate hygiene and poor shelter impact morale. Determination is challenged. Unpredictable things such as bad news from home, well beyond the soldier’s ability to control, can seriously affect a proven fighter’s ability to perform. Multiple combat tours only add pressure on long service regulars.

What sustains soldiers in the course of interminable, dangerous campaigns is the support, regard and affection he both gives and receives from his immediate comrades. It has been long understood that what motivates soldiers to fight is the desire to not let his buddies down. A soldier would most often suffer death or wounding before losing the respect of his fellow squad or crew mates.  It is this profound and very human fact that has driven armies for centuries to ensure unit cohesion.  Unit cohesion makes all the difference in combat. It not only sustains the individual soldier but also preserving the combat power of units after suffering losses. Cohesion, however, can only be achieved if it is both a specified aim of organizational policy and preparation.  On campaign, field commanders must manage unit exposure to direct combat over extended periods of time. Pulling units off the line for rest, refit and retraining has been proven vital in this regard.  Regardless, validated studies have informed us that a soldier’s combat efficiency is at its peak after having survived 30 days of heavy combat. Fatigue sets in after 100. After 140 days a soldier becomes useless, paralyzed by fear or numbed into carelessness.

These grim realities only reinforce the importance of time tested values and discipline. Values that emphasize the will to win, self sacrifice and loyalty to fellow soldiers and nation are the unshakable cement that binds soldiers together. These qualities are the foundation of trust.  They are imbedded into our oaths, creeds, mottos, insignia and songs.

Close combat soldiers are all too aware of their mortality. They learn this in time if not wounded and evacuated in initial actions. They become aware that death is with them always. And it strikes at the most unpredictable times and ways. As a result these young soldiers mature rapidly in the fullest sense.  Many develop a deep and sincere spiritual connection with their God. Most become uninhibited about expressing themselves accordingly in front of their comrades in time.  They talk about their fears. They affirm conviction that there is a life beyond the one they see and feel. They sense the reality of both good and evil after witnessing the best and worst of human nature.  They search for strength and direction amid chaos. They pray. They do so together. I can’t count the times I have seen hard, masculine fighting men take a minute to gather and pray before a combat patrol. I can recall our chaplain quietly and unobtrusively blessing one of mine during a particularly violent period.  It had a powerful, calming effect on us all. Providing for the soldier’s spiritual needs is vital. It reinforces his ability to sustain his courage and endurance. It binds fighters together. It builds trust, solidarity and cohesion. It calls us to be good and at our best in the face of mortal danger. Commanders must always remember this.

Remember and honor those who bear the greatest burden. They are to be identified, decorated and honored. Decorating valorous and gallant soldier who close with and engage the enemy should be so honored quickly. The command should be given the necessary authority. This matters to combat soldiers. A yard of ribbon is worth a division of troops.

The combat leader, the focus of this book, has a special responsibility and trust. It is he who has the most potential to ensure positive outcomes: both in training and in combat. The leader provides purpose, direction and motivation. His actions and ideas most influence unit discipline, moral, material readiness, and levels of training. In combat, he ensures that soldiers enjoy the support of the entire combined arms team and the power of skilled maneuver. His tactics protect the unit from surprise.  He remains the most important aspect of combat power. His example ensures we do our duty as soldiers: to fight and win.

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[1] Colonel Jim Hickey served 30 months in Iraq. He commanded the Brigade that captured