Discipline: The small things are no little matter

  • Published
  • By Maj. Jeffrey Vires
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Judge Advocate
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) --  Sometimes, in the morning, when it's cold, I'll walk to work with my hands warmly nestled in my pockets. Or I'll be leaving the dorm when it's dark, realize I've forgotten my reflective belt, but don't go back and get it because I work just across the street.

When I was notified I was deploying to a combat zone, and that I'd be receiving hostile fire pay, that caused me some trepidation. Upon arriving at Manas, for the first day or so, I made sure I was very aware of my surroundings. Now, almost half-way through my tour, after the benefit, albeit questionable, of all the jalapeño poppers and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups I can eat, boardwalk sales and karaoke, do I still have the same level of awareness of my surroundings? Probably not.

Does my lack of discipline matter? Will we lose the war on terrorism because I forgot my reflective belt? Does a lack of discipline in small things really matter?

It mattered to one man: Gen. George S. Patton Jr. He had a lot to say about discipline: "There is only one sort of discipline, perfect discipline."

"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?. . . It is absurd to believe that soldiers who cannot be made to wear the proper uniform can be induced to move forward in battle. Officers who fail to perform their duty by correcting small violations and in enforcing proper conduct are incapable of leading.

"You cannot be disciplined in great things and undisciplined in small things. Brave undisciplined men have no chance against the discipline and valor of other men," he said.

Discipline in the small things does matter. If you go to the gym and work out regularly, not only does it benefit your health, but the repetitive nature of your activity mentally instills a healthful attitude. I think it's the same thing practicing daily discipline with the small things.

And if you think the small things don't matter, remember what else General Patton had to say: "Watch what people are cynical about, and one can often discover what they lack."