Old Blood and Guts

Old Blood and Guts

General George Patton once said, "We herd sheep, we drive cattle, we lead people. Lead me, follow me, or get out of the way". This is one of many quotes from the famous Army General George Smith Patton Jr. George Patton was born on November 11, 1885 in San Gabriel California. According to the website Patton-Mania, by Charles M. Province the founder of the George S. Patton Jr. historical society. "At the age of 18 Patton enrolled in the Virginia Military Institute, following in the family tradition of his father and grandfather". Patton accepted an appointment to West Point after a year at Virginia Military Institute. Upon graduation from West Point in 1909 Patton was assigned to the Cavalry school at Fort Riley, Kansas. Under the mentorship of General Pershing Patton was the first officer assigned to the United States Tank Corps. Patton rapidly became the leading tank expert and almost single-handedly formed the American Tank School, and wrote the training manuals. Patton trained his soldiers and eventually led them into combat. Remembered today as a tank general and contrary to widespread belief, Patton highly detested war. Patton's true gift to his men was the expertise of leadership and the ability to motivate.

General Patton can be studied for important lessons on leadership. Patton was a fighting soldier; he believed that his duty was to lead his soldiers into battle. In his book titled War as I knew it. Patton once wrote, "An officer must be the last man to take shelter from fire, and the first to move forward. Similarly, he must be the last man to look after his own comfort at close of a march. He must see that his men are cared for" (415). Patton's leadership style was occasionally harsh but for the most part, accepted by his men. His demeanor and the way he dressed with his Ivory handled revolvers, and his blatant use of profanity is what gave his men the confidence, and ability to defeat the enemy. The Patton Society Research Library stated, some of General Patton's leadership secrets were "Do everything you ask of those you command" (Province). Patton's immense technical knowledge and competence of weapons and equipment was passed on to his staff and front line soldiers. Rigorous training was a key element in Patton's leadership plan. According to Charles M. Province, Patton is highly regarded for his exceptional vision of leadership. This was a quality that Patton refined and embraced ("Patton-Mania"). General George Smith Patton Jr. has been referred to as many things but his leadership attributes stands the test of time.

Patton was an undeniable motivator. His speeches got to the heart of the issue and could motivate even the weakest soldier to engage in battle. In Patton's speech to the 3rd Army Patton said to the soldiers, "I want you to remember that no bastard ever won