Compass Points - Accountability
The secret strength of military forces.
Marine Corps Compass Points
Oct 09, 2024
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While a powerful military force is made of tangible things like ships, planes, weapons, and ammunition, the real power of a military force is the intangible things like courage, unity, commitment, and accountability. Although there is frequent discussion and debate about weapons and equipment, there is much less attention paid to the intangible traits. Perhaps critical intangible traits need more attention.
For example, the intangible trait of accountability.
Back in the summer of 1863 the battle of Gettysburg was a costly victory for the North and a terrible defeat for the South. Who was to blame for the loss? Who was accountable? The accountability might belong to Longstreet and his cavalry that never arrived. Or on Pickett and his failed charge. Or on many other commanders at Gettysburg.
Who did General Lee believe should be accountable?
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The fault is entirely my own.
-- Gen Robert E. Lee, July 3, 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
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General Lee's willingness -- his insistence -- in being fully accountable for the loss at Gettysburg shows his leadership. Real leaders do not hide from accountability, they do not 'spin' the facts. Leaders step forward and say, "the fault is entirely my own."
On July 12, 2020, the USS Bonhomme Richard, while undergoing maintenance, caught fire. The fire burned for more than four days and resulted in the eventual scrapping and loss of the amphibious assault ship.
The Navy court-martialed one sailor for the fire. Two years after the fire, the court-martialed sailor was acquitted.
The Navy official JAGMAN investigation runs more than 400 pages. Chapter 5 Accountability begins by fragmenting the accountability.
https://marinecorpscompasspoints.substack.com/p/compass-points-accountability-8ca
