Rules for working with Warriors, Inc:
- Your right to influence the story is diminished in ratio to the distance you are from the actual arena of action.
- Equipment, props, and wardrobe will always be compromised by not only being made by the lowest bidder, but by attempting to make it multi-functional and decorative rather than practical. Every wardrobe designer should have to run a mile in the uniforms they design.
- Outstanding commanders will surround themselves with excellent staff officers.
- Never make command a reward for good staff work.
- Outstanding NCOs may make good officers. With the exception of Mustangs, the reverse is rarely true.
- Soldiers tell the truth about good and bad commanders. Their opinion is your ultimate fitness report.
- No cadre member was ever hated for being too hard, but some are detested for trying to cultivate that image without substance.
- Endurance should be judged on the bayonet assault course and not on a marathon run…unless the Skipper is leading PT.
- The casting director will never be able to judge soldierly spirit as well as his Sergeant can.
- Esprit de Corps cannot be attained at a cocktail mixer or the Cast and Crew party. It must be instilled by good leadership and trust in the people in your unit.
- No new weapon or tactic will ever instill the same fear in the enemy that one Infantryman with a bayonet can.
- Anyone who thinks that future battlefields will not contain Infantrymen knows nothing about war.
- Indecision kills more soldiers than any wrong decision. You can fight your way out of a wrong decision.
- Never shower or apply after-shave or cologne during the forty eight hours prior to a night attack.
- Sweat is the true lubricant of the Infantry fighting machine.
- No soldier can be managed to victory. He must be led.
- Not training your soldiers to protect themselves is a crime against your own troops.
- Any officer who claims he is accepting an individual award (or compliment from the director) for the entire unit should allow his soldiers to wear it or hear it.
- Heroism cannot be taught. But cowardice is a communicable disease.
- No leader should be given a command because he needs one for his resume.
- No leader should be denied a command because he already had one.
- A combat veteran of any war should be respected by all.
- The one night you don't dig in will be the night you get mortar fire on your position.
- Inclement weather is the Infantryman's ally. If it ain't rainin', we ain't trainin' and if it ain't snowin', we ain't goin'.
- There is no collateral duty or second unit endeavor so important that it should separate a leader and his unit.
- Senior cadre who allow discussions about fellow cadre not present are not honorable.
- If you wish your subordinates to call you by your first name, go sell shoes. There is no place for you in Warriors.
- Soldiers respect leaders worth emulating. They cannot be "ordered" to respect anyone.
Inspired in part by writings of Major Mark A. Smith Sr. USA (Ret)
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