Rules really do matter Published March 31, 2009 By Lt. Col. Jennifer Whittier 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Judge Advocate SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- "Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all." Although many years have passed since George Washington spoke these words, they apply as much today as they did then. Discipline is a state of order based on submission to rules and authority. The state of order that results when rules and authority are uniformly complied with is absolutely critical to a military force and success in the battlespace. Whether you are active-duty military, Guard or Reserve, civilian or contractor, you are subject to many rules and standards. Regardless of whether you personally agree with or like the rules and standards, our leaders have determined these rules and standards are required by the mission and special demands of operations. The military has long been viewed by our courts as a specialized community governed by a separate discipline from that of civilians with a fundamental necessity for obedience -- this is especially true in combat. We are very much engaged in the business of war and need rules and adherence to them to create the state of order and discipline required to wage war. Army Gen. George S. Patton Jr. said it best: "If you can't get them to salute when they should salute and wear the clothes you tell them to wear, how are you going to get them to die for their country?" We may not like a particular rule or see the purpose or reason behind it, but that doesn't change the obligation to follow it. Military members are accountable for all the rules and standards set by superiors. There is no option to pick and choose which to follow. Failure to follow the rules places privileges, pay, rank and even career at risk. Civilians and contractors who fail to follow the rules put continued employment at risk. It is hard sometimes to understand what difference it makes if our sandals have a back strap or our PT shirt is tucked in, but those are the rules. Would today's joint fight fall apart if those rules weren't always followed? Probably not but to borrow the words of General Patton again: "You cannot be disciplined in great things and indisciplined in small things." The discipline and order so critical to a fighting force is built from a consistent adherence to rules and standards; whether related to small or great things. It is important to know what the rules and standards are from the start and make a commitment to follow all the rules all the time (even the ones you don't like). If you don't understand a rule, don't guess and ask for clarification. Try to remember that leaders see a bigger picture (a rule may be based on things we are not aware of). We don't have a right to understand why a particular rule exists (it is nice if we do, but it is not a right). If you don't like a rule, try to change it through proper channels (but follow it). And most importantly, the rules and standards apply as much on the last day of deployment as they do on the first (no freebies for being on the way out). Throughout history, military forces and those who accompany them have sacrificed personal freedom to protect our nation. Everyone is making a significant sacrifice and part of that sacrifice involves following rules and standards. While this can be difficult day to day, in the big scheme of things, it is a small sacrifice for the freedom and opportunity we enjoy when we are home. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page