Revival of Doctrine, Truth, Soundness of Mind and Sanity.
DISCIPLINE IN A SOLDIER'S LIFE
What role does discipline play in a soldier's life?
As I said earlier, the basis of all discipline is self-discipline. A drill sergeant can yell and scream at you to get out of that warm bunk to get into uniform, get your boots on, make your bunk and be ready for first formation in fifteen minutes, but you are the one who has to make yourself peel off those covers, grab that uniform and those boots, get that bunk ready to pass inspection, and get outside no matter what the weather is. Basic training helps to develop that self-discipline.
Before I go on, I need to remind people that combat soldiers have the toughest and most dangerous job in society. When soldiers are not in combat, they are preparing for combat through training or maintaining their equipment. Their training and the condition of their equipment are very important to their success.
As rigorous as basic training is, it is not as hard as combat. When a soldier disciplines himself to get out of that bunk everyday, march when commanded, salute when an officer passes by, run through the obstacle course, throw a live hand grenade, and go through all the other things, they become easier to do the more he does them. Soon the small difficulties he will handle with ease. That makes handling the big difficulties easier as well. And that is the role of discipline in a soldier's life.
Let me back this up with a couple of "war stories" involving a man in my National Guard unit. His name is Sgt. Billy Johnson. Before he came into the unit, he had been in the Army Reserve in Tulsa, and before that, he had been in combat in Vietnam. He is Native American, and like most Native Americans, he is quiet and reserved. He's not the type to start the laughing and joking when hanging out with other guys, but if it's going on, he will join in. You'll see in a minute why I mention this.
During one of the drills, a discussion came up about some recent recruits who were being sent off to basic training. One of the recruits had a last name that we knew would draw the unfavorable attention of the drill sergeants. Then the question came up about just how important is basic training. I asked Sgt. Johnson how much of what he learned at basic that he actually used in combat. He said, "A lot of it, about 80 - 90 percent."
How credible is that statement?
During another drill, we had to prepare for an inspection, so we where going through and counting and cleaning everything. I had been assigned to help Sgt. Johnson clean the gas masks, which we did by washing them. We had just set some out to dry and were taking a short break when one of the higher ranking sergeants from the orderly room (office) came out to the drill floor. He looked around, spotted Sgt. Johnson, and said, "Hey, Billy, how many Bronze Stars do you have?"
I'm thinking, "Bronze Stars? As in more than one? They don't give those things away very easily!"
Sgt. Johnson's answer, "Four or five. I'm supposed to get another one soon."
The other sergeant replied, "That's what I needed to talk to you about. Come with me to the orderly room."
A few weeks later, the local paper had a picture of Sgt. Johnson receiving his medal. For those that don't know, the Bronze Star is one of the top honors given for bravery in combat. If a man with several Bronze Stars tells you that basic training is important, BELIEVE IT!
Later on, someone asked Sgt. Johnson what it was like to be a hero. He replied by saying, "I'm not a hero. I was just doing my job." That is the essence of discipline: doing your job no matter how unpleasant or difficult it is.
So, remember these things when you read scriptures about discipline, or enduring hardship as a soldier of Christ.
As I said earlier, the basis of all discipline is self-discipline. A drill sergeant can yell and scream at you to get out of that warm bunk to get into uniform, get your boots on, make your bunk and be ready for first formation in fifteen minutes, but you are the one who has to make yourself peel off those covers, grab that uniform and those boots, get that bunk ready to pass inspection, and get outside no matter what the weather is. Basic training helps to develop that self-discipline.
Before I go on, I need to remind people that combat soldiers have the toughest and most dangerous job in society. When soldiers are not in combat, they are preparing for combat through training or maintaining their equipment. Their training and the condition of their equipment are very important to their success.
As rigorous as basic training is, it is not as hard as combat. When a soldier disciplines himself to get out of that bunk everyday, march when commanded, salute when an officer passes by, run through the obstacle course, throw a live hand grenade, and go through all the other things, they become easier to do the more he does them. Soon the small difficulties he will handle with ease. That makes handling the big difficulties easier as well. And that is the role of discipline in a soldier's life.
Let me back this up with a couple of "war stories" involving a man in my National Guard unit. His name is Sgt. Billy Johnson. Before he came into the unit, he had been in the Army Reserve in Tulsa, and before that, he had been in combat in Vietnam. He is Native American, and like most Native Americans, he is quiet and reserved. He's not the type to start the laughing and joking when hanging out with other guys, but if it's going on, he will join in. You'll see in a minute why I mention this.
During one of the drills, a discussion came up about some recent recruits who were being sent off to basic training. One of the recruits had a last name that we knew would draw the unfavorable attention of the drill sergeants. Then the question came up about just how important is basic training. I asked Sgt. Johnson how much of what he learned at basic that he actually used in combat. He said, "A lot of it, about 80 - 90 percent."
How credible is that statement?
During another drill, we had to prepare for an inspection, so we where going through and counting and cleaning everything. I had been assigned to help Sgt. Johnson clean the gas masks, which we did by washing them. We had just set some out to dry and were taking a short break when one of the higher ranking sergeants from the orderly room (office) came out to the drill floor. He looked around, spotted Sgt. Johnson, and said, "Hey, Billy, how many Bronze Stars do you have?"
I'm thinking, "Bronze Stars? As in more than one? They don't give those things away very easily!"
Sgt. Johnson's answer, "Four or five. I'm supposed to get another one soon."
The other sergeant replied, "That's what I needed to talk to you about. Come with me to the orderly room."
A few weeks later, the local paper had a picture of Sgt. Johnson receiving his medal. For those that don't know, the Bronze Star is one of the top honors given for bravery in combat. If a man with several Bronze Stars tells you that basic training is important, BELIEVE IT!
Later on, someone asked Sgt. Johnson what it was like to be a hero. He replied by saying, "I'm not a hero. I was just doing my job." That is the essence of discipline: doing your job no matter how unpleasant or difficult it is.
So, remember these things when you read scriptures about discipline, or enduring hardship as a soldier of Christ.
Comment
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Comment by Charles Atkinson on May 5, 2009 at 3:54pm -
When we're convinced He'll take care of us, then we'll trust and obey.
http://d.sermonplayer.com/c/NM60788/pdf/207393_794.pdf (copy and paste)
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Comment by Doug Lee on May 5, 2009 at 2:43pm -
Thanks for those comments Charles. I knew my post had scriptures that related to it, but I just hadn't had the time to look them up.
I can only speculate on what was on Sgt. Johnson's mind and heart when he was in combat. Another thing the drill sergeants emphasized to us was teamwork. (That topic deserves it's own post!) Because of that, I'm sure Sgt. Johnson acted out of concern for his fellow soldiers. Otherwise, I'd say he hoped to accomplish what every soldier wants: to defeat the enemy, and to get back to his family.
Yesterday, I looked at the main page of Iktus.net, and noticed Alan Taylor's April newsletter about obedience and courage. I had read it before but forgot about it, but it meshes in with this topic. His point was that obedience develops courage. To that I would add: discipline is what enables you to obey. When you obey in the small things, you have the courage to act in the large, life-or-death situations.
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Comment by Charles Atkinson on May 5, 2009 at 10:46am
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Doug, I have spent the evening meditating on the essence of your post. What has impressed me is that those who submit to the discipline imposed on them by the DI do so for the reward of that training. When I went through basic, I overcame the hardships and endured the difficulties because I wanted the title of a US Marine. Because of my desire to attain to that image (hope), I was willing to suffer the circumstances my DI considered critical for the shaping of that figure – of that vision.
Paul said it this way, “by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me (training) was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly (self-discipline) than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God (the DI) which was with me.”
I’d be curious to know (if you have a way to find out or speculate) what hope your Sgt. Johnson had in accomplishing the exploits he had. Paul, and even Jesus, didn’t endure what they did simply because “it was their job”. They each “endured their cross” for a “joy (hope) that was set before” them. Sgt. Johnson may have given a “humble” reply about being a hero, but deeper than he may have consciously been aware, had to have been something that motivated him to risk his life for those around him – his acts of bravery which earned him the bronze stars.
He is correct – the training received in basic is relevant to combat. If only, learning to obey the orders given by those in command – though much more than that is applicable. My point is this: Jesus was successful in his mission because he “learned obedience through the things he suffered.” And Paul stated, “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” (Phil 1:20)
A hope – a vision – an image – the joy of a reward is the motivation to endure hardship – to develop self-discipline. If we lose sight of the prize, we won’t run the race with endurance. And in turn, we will be put to shame.
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Comment by Charles Atkinson on May 4, 2009 at 12:17pm
- Hm. Good lesson for meditation.
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