...General George S. Patton Jim Turley Wayland Baptist University Patton was graduated from West Point in June 1909. Patton first assignment was at Fort Sheridan, near Chicago. Patton used his family influence to secure a tour of duty at Fort Myer in Washington, D.C. While at Tort Myer, he met and aided General John J. Pershing when the latter was ordered into Mexico in 1916. Patton, who served with distinction in Mexico, regarded Pershing as a model soldier and continued to serve as his aide when the latter was chosen to head the American Expeditionary Force to France in 1917. Once in France, Patton relinquished his staff position for a combat command. He was particularly interested in the tank, which promised to be the cavalry arm of the modern army. Patton dreamed of leading a tank unit in combat. That dream became a reality during the St. Mihiel campaign. During a firefight, Patton was wounded, but he continued to direct his tanks to their targets. When the newspapers ran the story of the “Hero of the Tanks” who directed his men while lying wounded in a shellhole, Patton became an instant hero. Patton won the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal, during the ST. Mihiel campaign. Army Chief of Staff George Marshall changed all that. The German Blitzkrieg convinced Marshall that the U.S. Army needed an armored force. Marshall ordered to create two armored divisions and chosen Patton to command the Second Armored Division. In command of the Second...
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...10 April 2014 General George S. Patton – US Army General Patton achieved and accomplished many things while serving this great nation. One may often look at his twenty-two service awards that he received, or take notice that he was an Olympian, served in both World Wars and the Mexican Revolution, or even the numerous commands he held. However, the greatest accomplishment that must be recognized is General Patton’s unique ability to lead and inspire soldiers. General Patton is recognized as one of the greatest military figures and this can mainly be attributed to him being one of the greatest leaders in military history. “Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.” –General Patton General George S. Patton was born November 11, 1885 in San Gabriel, California. His family had fought in the Revolutionary War, Mexican War, and the Civil War and would share war stories to Patton when he was a young boy. From an early age, Patton was determined to one day become a war hero and was influenced by the stories of valor and bravery that his ancestors had shared with him during his childhood. Patton went on to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 15th Cavalry Regiment on June 11, 1909. He married Beatrice Ayer on May 26, 1910. A few short years later Patton would represent America in the Olympics in the first Modern Pentathlon where he finished fifth overall. With a passion for fencing, Patton would continue to...
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...Abstract Leadership Development is a key characteristic in today’s Army. Anyone can be a follower; few can be effective, and or an efficient leader. This is the most valuable and successful skill a person could have in their military or civilian career. It is the one factor that sets individuals apart from each other. We can have many things in common but one thing we do NOT want to have in common is being a follower. Therefore, in order to be successful we train, BE, KNOW, and DO. General Patton believes in certain traits that you must maintain to be a good leader. He believes in leading from the front and making sure plans are clear or better said Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF). Understanding your moral duty as a Soldier in the Armed Forces is crucial to our climate and culture and Soldiers draw strength from knowing they are part of a long-standing tradition. LEADER DEVELOPMENT The Army has been known for BE, KNOW, and DO framework. When it comes down to those elements what does it really encompass to become a professional competent and successful leader? What influence will I have to get the job done today and tomorrow? In my line of work, I can choose from a variety of tools that the Army equips us with. My tool that I like to refer back to in being successful is to BE, KNOW and DO, so that I may be successful in my job, mission and career. I look to guide Soldiers with direction, providing purpose, motivation and executing a clear plan to complete the mission...
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...General George S. Patton Jr. The want to go forth and reach personal conquests lives inside every man. This passion often navigates the would-be hero into a state of tragedy involving pain and suffering for those around. One individual, in particular, inflicted strain and duress on others with a harsh, and often criticized unconventional style of leading when he took his campaign across Europe and into Germany . General George Smith Patton, Jr. led an expedition across a continent to rid the world of the Nazi powers that threatened it. Patton attended the U.S. Military Academy and graduated in 1909. After his graduation, Patton joined the cavalry where he served in World War I. As a young cavalry officer and well-rounded athlete, he competed in five events during the 1912 Olympic Games held in Stockholm, Sweden where he placed fifth in the pentathlon. He believed in hard work and a tough mental state of mind from his men. He expected them to be physically fit and be able to handle themselves through the most rigorous conditions. Patton got his first tastes of action in pursuit of Mexico ’s legendary Poncho Villa in 1916 with the U.S. Cavalry. He was later transferred to the new armored branch as the first U.S. Commander of Armor. During World War I, Patton was struck by machine gun fire and was seriously wounded, barely escaping death. After being wounded, Patton stayed in the armed forces and continued to command the armored division during the time of peace. Soon enough Patton’s...
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...I have chosen to do my paper on General George S. Patton. Patton was a famous General for the American Army during World War II. He was a hard-nosed, no nonsense leader. Patton was hard on his troops. With this being said, his troops respected him, and were willing to follow him to hell and back. Patton never asked his troops to do something that he would not do himself. His ability to be demanding of his troops and command their respect at the same time are a few reason why I respect Patton. I will go into leadership traits that Patton himself believed a leader should possess. Patton's fourteen written leadership traits are Bearing, courage, decisiveness, dependability, endurance, enthusiasm, initiative, integrity, judgment, justice, knowledge, loyalty, tact, and unselfishness. Patton always stayed true to his word, and never left his troops' side. These traits are actually taught in the Marine Corps today. They can also be used in the business world. Always maintain your bearing. You are always being watched by your employees. Never lose your temper. It’s important to always act as if you are in control. If you lose control, you just showed that you couldn’t keep your mind and emotions in check. If you cannot do that during regular times, what will happen when you’re faced with extreme stress or fear? Moral courage is important in the business world. Leaders should have the moral courage to step in and say when something is wrong, when it’s an unpopular thing to...
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...INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT Individual and Group Dynamics By Kirti Shankar Roll No.: 1302-074 Section: B/I PGDM-DCP- 2013-15 Leadership Styles Ratan Tata Ratan Tata was the chairman of the Indian conglomerate Tata Group from 1991 till 2012. Currently he is the Chairman Emeritus of the group. He was awarded Padma Vibushan in 2008 and was given honorary knighthood, the Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2012. By the time he stepped down as the chairman, the revenue to the Tata Group was 40 times of what it was when Ratan Tata took the chair. Under his leadership, various companies under the Tata group made high profile acquisitions like Tata Tea bought Tetley, Tata motor acquired Jaguar-Land Rover and Corus steel by Tata Steel. Such acquisition brought the Tata Group to the world map. Ratan Tata was instrumental in the development of Tata Indica, which is considered as India’s first indigenously designed car, and Tata Nano, the world’ cheapest car. Another of his vision was to develop water filters for rural areas which did not need any electricity to run. A visionary leader A visionary leader is defined as a leader gives the organization a new direction. The goal is to give the employees freedom to innovate, experiment and take calculated risks. Ratan Tata’s success lies with his ability to think big, to have a vision. When the Indian economy entered the liberalization era, Rata Tata took the decision to streamline the group. He sold few...
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...I have decided to write my paper over two of the greatest generals of World War II: Erwin Rommal and George S. Patton. These two men are the most well known generals of World War II and for a reason. They both are nearly identical in the way they fought their fought their opponents Erwin Rommel was born in Heidenheim (then part of the German Empire). At age 14, Rommel and a friend built a full-scale glider that was able to fly short distances. (generals) Rommel considered becoming an engineer. (teacher) However to make his father proud, Rommel instead joined the local Infantry Regiment as an officer cadet in 1910 and was sent to the Officer Cadet School in Danzig. He graduated on 15 November 1911 and was commissioned as a lieutenant in January 1912. (generals) During World War I, Rommel fought in France as well as in Romania and Italy. He gained a reputation for great courage, making quick tactical decisions and taking advantage of enemy confusion. (teacher) He was wounded three times and awarded the Iron Cross, First and Second Class. Rommel also received Prussia's highest award, the order of Pour le Mérite. (generals) Rommel acted as commander of the Führerbegleithauptquartier (Führer escort headquarters) during the Polish campaign, often moving up close to the front in the Führersonderzug and seeing much of Hitler. (generals) After the Polish defeat, Rommel asked Hitler for command of a panzer division. Three months later he was given command of the 7.Panzer-Division...
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...George Smith Patton, Jr. (November 11, 1885 – December 21, 1945) was a United States Army general, best known for his flamboyant character and his command of the Seventh United States Army, and later the Third United States Army, in the European Theater of World War II. Born in 1885 to a privileged family with an extensive military background, Patton attended the Virginia Military Institute, and later the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He participated in the 1912 Olympic Modern Pentathlon, and was instrumental in designing the M1913 "Patton Saber". Patton first saw combat during the Pancho Villa Expedition in 1916, taking part in America's first military action using motor vehicles. He later joined the newly formed United States Tank Corps of the American Expeditionary Forces and saw action in World War I, first commanding the U.S. tank school in France before being wounded near the end of the war. In the interwar period, Patton remained a central figure in the development of armored warfare doctrine in the U.S. Army, serving in numerous staff positions throughout the country. Rising through the ranks, he commanded the U.S. 2nd Armored Division at the time of the U.S. entry into World War II. Patton led U.S. troops into the Mediterranean theater with an invasion of Casablanca during Operation Torch in 1942, where he later established himself as an effective commander through his rapid rehabilitation of the demoralized U.S. II Corps. He commanded the Seventh Army during...
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...actually had no field command experience before WWII (Chen). He clearly possessed naturally leadership qualities that complimented his strategic knowledge. From the beaches of Normandy, to the western front of Germany, General Eisenhower commanded the Allies. If it a lesser man was in charge the outcome of the war and the world we live in today could have been very different. Eisenhower was born in Denison, Texas on October 14th, 1890. He grew up in Kansas in a poor family. Eisenhower was known as a good athlete and a hard worker. In 1915 he graduated from West Point and was stationed in San Antonio as a second lieutenant. The First World War ended right before Eisenhower was scheduled to go, which greatly upset him. He then went on the graduate first in his class from the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Next, the future president served under General John J. Pershing as a military aid. He later served as an aid to General Douglas MacArthur for seven years in the Philippines. In 1939 he returned home just at the outbreak of the Second World War. In September 1941, Eisenhower was promoted to brigadier general. Just three months later Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. Eisenhower was then called to Washington by General George Marshal, U.S Army Chief of Staff. Marshal assigned Eisenhower to work as a planning officer in the capital (History.com). He had seven years of experience stationed in the Philippines so Eisenhower worked mostly as an...
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...crisis To paraphrase the bumper sticker: Stuff happens. Fortunately, so does good leadership--but those folks looking for pat solutions to unpredictable situations will be disappointed. First-rate management of a crisis rarely looks the same twice. A case in point from America's military: Gen. George S. Patton, perhaps the most celebrated of America's modern military men, was first and foremost a student, devouring books on history and war strategy throughout his life. He also was a brilliant tactician who believed in preparation. When Germans snapped Allied lines and poured deep into Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge, Patton had a plan. He stunned Supreme Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower by claiming he could break off a chunk of the Third Army from its march west through France and redirect it straight north 100 miles into Belgium within 48 hours. Patton succeeded, and his army helped end the Axis powers' last great push. "The things people do before a crisis occurs have a huge impact on what occurs during that crisis," says Gene Klann, author of the book Crisis Leadership and an associate professor at U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. "Patton had prepared himself for that situation." But preparation isn't always the hallmark of triumph in a crisis. Experts say it's a mixed bouquet that often contains preparation but also includes blooms of improvisation, good communication, foresight, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to established...
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...While General Patton may not have motivated the soldiers in the most formal manner, I feel that he was able to effectively motivate his soldiers. Throughout his speech, Patton often gives the soldiers a reassuring comment. He praises them by saying, “We have the finest food and equipment, the best spirit and the best men in the world.” This praise helps to boost the confidence among the men. This allows them to realize who they truly are. With this remark, Patton established the fact that he and many others had complete confidence in these men. At another place in his speech, Patton directly targets the simple beliefs of every American. In the paragraph beginning, “When you were kids, you all admired…,” Patton drives in the point of being an American....
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...Management What you’re doing makes a lot more sense if you know what you’re doing. In the film Patton, George C. Scott plays the domineering and inspiring leader of American troops in World War II. In one scene, Scott’s character flies into an uncontrollable rage, exorcising his staff for their lack of intensity and demanding seemingly impossible results. Subsequently, his chief of staff tells him privately that his staff doesn’t know whether Patton has lost control or if he is just acting. Patton replies, “It’s not important that they know the difference. It’s only important that I know.” General Patton, like many successful leaders, understood the importance of knowing his own capabilities and limitations. A less skillful manager might have engendered frustration and disrespect among his troops, but Patton inspired confidence and selfsacrifice. How can the same act by different managers have such different effects, and how can some managers use something as undisciplined as a temper tantrum as an effective technique for getting results? The answer lies in looking beyond the act and considering the related issue of selfawareness. awareness training is that you cannot expect others to have confidence in you unless you have confidence in yourself. It seems a paradox of human behavior that successful leaders often display not only extraordinary confidence but exceptional vulnerability as well, such as King David of the Old Testament. Open displays of strong emotion, including...
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...Patton Analysis In the film Patton, many events and important people were depicted, including the battle of the bulge, Sicily, France, General George Patton, Erwin Rommel, Omar Bradley, and Bernard Law Montgomery. General Patton was commander of the Third Army in which he led them ti victory after a crushing defeat in the Battle of Kasserines pass. Erwin Rommel was general of the German army and he was widely respected for his ability to lead. Omar Bradley was second in command to General Patton and was head of the operation in North Africa. Montgomery was general of the British army and at this time he was winning every battle he got into. All of these people were important during world war 2 because they all led an army into battle and were victorious throughout the war and because they all were highly thought of and respected. Sicily and France were both places in which Patton led the Third Army and took then from the Germans. The battle of the bulge was a German offensive in which rot hope was to split up and surround the British and American forces. The directors purpose of masking this film was to inform people of general Patton's accomplishments while he was commanding the American Army. It was to show the war through the life of George Patton and to show how Patton changed the course of the war by actually disciplining the US Army. This movie shows the theme that discipline is the key to winning a war because without discipline, no one will know what to do and...
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...Both Generals Omar Bradley and George Patton were undoubtedly great battlefield commanders. While they both came from different backgrounds they both were intelligent men. Patton was born to a military family in California and Bradley was the son of a schoolteacher in Missouri. They were both graduates of West Point. One thing that I found interesting was the fact that in Africa, Bradley served under Patton and in Europe Patton served under Bradley. Bradley stated that Patton was a soldier first and the greatest example of this was even though Patton was his superior in service by six years, he never questioned the decision for Bradley to be his superior in the 12th Army Group. Patton was often outspoken and seemed to receive criticism for some of his comments and actions, including the all famous slapping incident. However, it is of note that happened on his way to Bradley’s Headquarters and when Bradley heard about the incident from Patton he felt that he would have done the same thing. Patton was said to have been a “glory hound” and quick to anger to the point that he would often overstep his bounds when it came to disciplining troops. Bradley was more of the calm and collected type personality, and is commonly referred to as the GIs General. There is an instance that Bradley was observed refusing the help of his Aide and smoothing out the ground with an entrenching tool for his bed. He expected his subordinates to get the job done and was quick to replace those...
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...have to learn their strengths and weaknesses. You must also learn your strengths and weaknesses. One of Sun Tzu’s keys principles of being a good leader is leadership, being able to communicate clear and concise orders and having the ability to motivate your subordinate leaders to execute your exact orders without hesitation. Subordinates must have the discipline to execute the mission upon receipt. This is Sun Tzu’s principle of knowing yourself. Sun Tzu also practiced the art of deception. Which in many ways similar to deception techniques used by General Patton and General Washington when flanking their enemies. I will show you these principles and the principles of some of our great leaders throughout history. I will show how many of these leaders’ principles and beliefs were very much alike and used throughout history during different periods. Some of these great leaders are Napoleon Bonaparte, General George Patton, and John Moore. We can see through the analyzing of battles throughout history Sun Tzu’s principles are effective and taught by many today. Sun Tzu verses Great Military Leaders throughout Time The teaching of Sun Tzu remains true throughout time. We have herd the old term great minds think alike. This is true when we talk about the most successful military leaders throughout history. If leaders analyze and adhere to Sun Tzu principles, they will be successful. I will focus on only a few of Sun Tzu’s principles....
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