MILITARY LEADERSHIP AND COMMAND

MILITARY LEADERSHIP - is the art of influencing and directing men to an assigned goal in such way as to obtain their obedience, confidence, respect and loyal cooperation in order to accomplish the mission.

LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP - is the art of inducing others to cooperate towards achieving a common goal.

LEADER - a person who influences and directs others.

COMMANDER - the person formally designated to direct the activities of a unit of any size.

COMMAND - is the authority of an individual to impose his will lawfully upon subordinates by virtue of his rank and assignment.

COMMAND CARRIES WITH IT RESPONSIBILITY - this means that the leader is held answerable for all activities under his command. - since the success depends on the right actions of a leader in the execution of missions assigned to him and his unit, it is therefore said that leadership is the proper exercise of command.

RESPONSIBILITY - refers to the obligation to perform duties and functions and to bear the consequences of activities under one’s command.

BASIC ELEMENTS OF LEADERSHIP

INTELLIGENCE - a leader must have the ability to understand and deal with problems in a given situation. In the military, the troop leader has to make correct and decisive actions because of the sensitive nature of the organization.

CHARACTER - to be a leader, a person must be of good moral character. This indicated by her/his own honesty, courage, good manners, industry, bravery, hard work and self- control.

ALERTNESS - this prerequisite refers to the physical and mental watchfulness and promptness in countering threats and dangers and in coping with emergencies. MENTAL ALERTNESS means watchfulness, vigilance and being observant of the things around her/him. PHYSICAL ALERTNESS refers to bodily movements which should be fast, nimble and agile with stealth.

SPECTRUM OF LEADERSHIP A number of people often stated that “Leaders are not made, they are born”. Leaders are born with things developed and recognized.

THE “INHERENT” LEADER The inherent leader is born with definite traits and attributes of leadership. Such people are “spotted” or “marked” at an early age.

THE “ACCLAIMED” OR “NOMINATED” LEADER This type of leader rises to the occasion, crises or emergency that requires the action of a leader. At times, though he may not make any effort to display leadership, his companions acclaim him to be the leader. It is very often that he is recognized by his group.

THE LEADER BY AUTHORITY This is the designated leader, in that he gets his mandate from a higher authority and not necessarily from his peers. This is the designated leader, in that he gets his mandate from a higher authority and not necessarily from his peers.

2 TYPES OF A LEADER AUTHORITARIAN - Leads by his rank and position. It is recognized normally by the dogmatic use of authority or power. PERSUASIVE - Leads by consulting his men and setting the example.

LEADERSHIP TRAITS These are human characteristics which enable an individual to lead men and these are personal qualities that are of great value to the commander in gaining the willing obedience, confidence, respect and loyal cooperation of his men. These can be developed by self-analysis and practice.

BEARING – the act of creating a favorable impression in carriage, physical appearance, dress and personal conduct at all times. BEARING – the act of creating a favorable impression in carriage, physical appearance, dress and personal conduct at all times. COURAGE – the mental quality to act calmly in times of danger and hardship. COURAGE – the mental quality to act calmly in times of danger and hardship. DECISIVENESS – the ability to make decisions promptly and express them ion clear and forceful manner. DECISIVENESS – the ability to make decisions promptly and express them ion clear and forceful manner. DEPENDABILITY – the ability to make decisions promptly and express them in clear and forceful manner. DEPENDABILITY – the ability to make decisions promptly and express them in clear and forceful manner.

ENDURANCE – the physical and mental stamina measured by the ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress and hardship. ENDURANCE – the physical and mental stamina measured by the ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress and hardship. ENTHUSIASM – the display of sincere interest and zeal in the performance of duties. ENTHUSIASM – the display of sincere interest and zeal in the performance of duties. FORCE – the ability to compel obedience to her/his subordinates. FORCE – the ability to compel obedience to her/his subordinates. HUMILITY – the state of being reasonably proud but not arrogant and boastful. HUMILITY – the state of being reasonably proud but not arrogant and boastful. HUMOR – the ability to appreciate and narrate amusing situations with bearing. HUMOR – the ability to appreciate and narrate amusing situations with bearing.

INITIATIVE – the ability to start or originate an idea or work even when others are absent. INITIATIVE – the ability to start or originate an idea or work even when others are absent. INTEGRITY – is the good moral character of a leader that must be unquestioned. INTEGRITY – is the good moral character of a leader that must be unquestioned. JUDGEMENT – the ability to make quick and wise decisions on valid facts. JUDGEMENT – the ability to make quick and wise decisions on valid facts. JUSTICE – impartiality in dealing with others in giving credits when due and punishment when so demands. JUSTICE – impartiality in dealing with others in giving credits when due and punishment when so demands. KNOWLEDGE – understanding of the characteristics of men. KNOWLEDGE – understanding of the characteristics of men.

LOYALTY – the quality of sincerity and faithfulness to superiors, subordinates, your unit and country. LOYALTY – the quality of sincerity and faithfulness to superiors, subordinates, your unit and country. SYMPATHY – the mutual feeling for others. The capacity of sharing the feelings of those with whom one is associated. SYMPATHY – the mutual feeling for others. The capacity of sharing the feelings of those with whom one is associated. TACT – the ability to deal with situations without hurting the feelings of others. TACT – the ability to deal with situations without hurting the feelings of others. UNSELFISHNESS – the avoidance of personal consideration that gives disadvantage to others. UNSELFISHNESS – the avoidance of personal consideration that gives disadvantage to others.

LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES These are the fundamental guidelines for the selection of appropriate actions and orders in the proper exercise of command. These are the rules, characteristics, traits policies and techniques of leading men in order to control and guide the actions of his followers.

KNOW YOUR JOB. KNOW YOUR MEN AND LOOK OUT FOR THEIR WELFARE. KNOW YOURSELF AND SEEK SELF IMPROVEMENT. BE SURE THAT ORDERS ARE UNDERSTOOD, SUPERVISED AND ACCOMPLISHED. KEEP YOUR MEN INFORMED. SET AN EXAMPLE. TRAIN YOUR MEN TO WORK AS A TEAM.

SEEK RESPONSIBILITY AND DEVELOP A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AMONG SUBORDINATES. SEEK RESPONSIBILITY AND DEVELOP A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AMONG SUBORDINATES. MAKE SOUND AND TIMELY DECISIONS. MAKE SOUND AND TIMELY DECISIONS. EMPLOY YOUR COMMAND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS CAPABILITIES. EMPLOY YOUR COMMAND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS CAPABILITIES. TAKE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR YOUR ACTIONS. TAKE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR YOUR ACTIONS.

LEADERSHIP TECHNIQUES These are actions taken by a leader to meet leadership problems, using leadership principles as a guide in selecting the techniques to be used. This can be improved by observation and experience.

EFFECTIVE UNIT One which accomplishes with the minimum expenditure of means and time, any mission assigned or implied, for which it has been organized, equipped and trained.

LEADERSHIP ACTIONS AND ORDERS Anything a leader does or says to enable him to influence and direct his command.

FEAR It is a natural human emotion during unusual circumstances especially in tome of danger. Fear is the enemy of a disciplined unit.

ROLES OF A LEADER With the absolute responsibility of a leader for all things in his command, he is faced with problems which require him to act in different capacities, from being a member of his unit to being the leader of his subordinates.

AS A MODEL SOLDIER – the subordinates look upon their leader as a model for them to emulate. The leader therefore should set himself as the model soldier in his organization. In personal appearance, personal and official conduct, speech and action, he should establish a standard which his men will be proud to follow and practice. AS A MODEL SOLDIER – the subordinates look upon their leader as a model for them to emulate. The leader therefore should set himself as the model soldier in his organization. In personal appearance, personal and official conduct, speech and action, he should establish a standard which his men will be proud to follow and practice. AS AN INSTRUCTOR – as a leader he is in a better position to direct his subordinates to neutralize any of these problems. AS AN INSTRUCTOR – as a leader he is in a better position to direct his subordinates to neutralize any of these problems.

AS A CUSTODIAN OF HIS MEN’S WELFARE - the leader must also be concerned with his men’s need that are essential to their comfort and well-being, such as adequate mess and supplies, good quarters, recreation facilities, sanitation and equitable passes. AS A CUSTODIAN OF HIS MEN’S WELFARE - the leader must also be concerned with his men’s need that are essential to their comfort and well-being, such as adequate mess and supplies, good quarters, recreation facilities, sanitation and equitable passes. AS A PERSONAL MANAGER - as the leader of a unit, he sees to it that the component of management under his command is in place and functional. This means that appropriate developmental training for manpower is necessary to produce the right man for the right post. AS A PERSONAL MANAGER - as the leader of a unit, he sees to it that the component of management under his command is in place and functional. This means that appropriate developmental training for manpower is necessary to produce the right man for the right post.

AS A COMMANDER AND SUPERVISOR – in this role, the leader must be a proficient troop leader. As a commander, his primary functions are receiving orders, making an estimate of situations, formulating plans, issuing orders to his subordinates and supervising the execution of his orders. Supervision is important to assure the leader that his orders are carried out by his subordinates. AS A COMMANDER AND SUPERVISOR – in this role, the leader must be a proficient troop leader. As a commander, his primary functions are receiving orders, making an estimate of situations, formulating plans, issuing orders to his subordinates and supervising the execution of his orders. Supervision is important to assure the leader that his orders are carried out by his subordinates. AS A COUNSELOR – an important duty of a leader is to improve the moral or spiritual traits of his men. To accomplish this, he must be a wise adviser to them. He gives advice and guidance to those who cannot solve their own problems. AS A COUNSELOR – an important duty of a leader is to improve the moral or spiritual traits of his men. To accomplish this, he must be a wise adviser to them. He gives advice and guidance to those who cannot solve their own problems.

OBJECTIVES OF A LEADER/INDICATION OF LEADERSHIP To have an organization which will loyally and willingly accomplish any reasonable task and will act in the absence of orders is the object of every leader.

DISCIPLINE – It is the state of order and obedience existing in a command. DISCIPLINE – It is the state of order and obedience existing in a command. MORALE – The mental and emotional state of an individual. MORALE – The mental and emotional state of an individual. ESPRIT DE CORPS – The mental and emotional state of a unit. ESPRIT DE CORPS – The mental and emotional state of a unit. EFFICIENCY – The ability to accomplish successfully an assigned task in the shortest possible time, with the minimum expenditures of efforts and means. EFFICIENCY – The ability to accomplish successfully an assigned task in the shortest possible time, with the minimum expenditures of efforts and means.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A LEADER The responsibilities of a leader are two folds – the accomplishment of his mission and his obligation to his men. The manner in which a leader fulfills his responsibilities is the measure of his success. A leader must know his job and must train and supervise his subordinates in their work.

ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE MISSION – composed of training, combat and assignment. ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE MISSION – composed of training, combat and assignment. TRAINING – A military leader must attend closely to the training of his men especially in preparing them in battle, in which they may lose their lives. Proper training gives the soldier high moral and great confidence in beating his opponent. TRAINING – A military leader must attend closely to the training of his men especially in preparing them in battle, in which they may lose their lives. Proper training gives the soldier high moral and great confidence in beating his opponent. COMBAT – Success in battle depends mainly on the individual and team action of a unit. It is where soldiery has its supreme test, requiring the best training, discipline, morale and leadership. COMBAT – Success in battle depends mainly on the individual and team action of a unit. It is where soldiery has its supreme test, requiring the best training, discipline, morale and leadership. ASSIGNMENT – The leader must be fair, impartial and just in the administration of his unit. The men must be assigned according to their ranks and fitness for a job. ASSIGNMENT – The leader must be fair, impartial and just in the administration of his unit. The men must be assigned according to their ranks and fitness for a job.

WELFARE OF HIS MEN – the leader’s duty to his men includes administrative actions that will maintain or boost their morale and improve their living condition, providing good mess and adequate supplies, enough recreation, healthful quarters and surroundings, good advice, passes and other things essential to their welfare. WELFARE OF HIS MEN – the leader’s duty to his men includes administrative actions that will maintain or boost their morale and improve their living condition, providing good mess and adequate supplies, enough recreation, healthful quarters and surroundings, good advice, passes and other things essential to their welfare.

PROBLEM AREAS Assumption of command Assumption of command Selection of subordinate leaders Selection of subordinate leaders Development of subordinate leaders Development of subordinate leaders Senior-subordinate leaders Senior-subordinate leaders Counseling Counseling Reception and integration Reception and integration Relation with local civilians Relation with local civilians

LEADERSHIP PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS Recognize the problem Recognize the problem Make an estimate of the situation Make an estimate of the situation Determine the cause Determine the cause Determine possible solution Determine possible solution Evaluate possible solution Evaluate possible solution Select the best solution Select the best solution Take action Take action

FACTORS THAT ADVERSELY AFFECT COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS Fear Panic Discouragement Lack of confidence by the individual himself

THE CHAIN OF COMMAND IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES President of the Philippines and Commander-in-Chief President of the Philippines and Commander-in-Chief Secretary of National Defense Secretary of National Defense Chief of Staff, AFP Chief of Staff, AFP Army/Air force/Navy Commanders Army/Air force/Navy Commanders Corps/Division Cmdrs./Unified Cmdrs. Corps/Division Cmdrs./Unified Cmdrs. Regimental/Brigade Regimental/Brigade Battalion Commander Battalion Commander

Company Commander Company Commander Platoon Commander Platoon Commander Squad Leader Squad Leader Private Private