It is a great question. I agree with Kyle. Combat units, those whose lives are outdoors, those who push themselves in many different ways all embody this. I simply use the military because the examples are so powerful and clear. Anyone can do this. Epictetus will help. Learning new skills helps. Keeping examples like Mad Dog in mind helps. Reflecting on whatever it is we think is bothering us or keeping us down or that we can’t control is a chance to practice self command.
Here is mine: You see him writing about combat and chaotic situations where the people he is highlighting reflect on their training to optimize response in the moment. We don’t need to join the military to train, to prepare, or to put ourselves in challenging environments so we can condition ideal responses.
I’d actually argue we are better off pursuing this training on our own rather than be told to do it by an organization we are a part of. Voluntarily pursuing discomfort so you can train self-command creates the muscle memory for resilience.
Get after it on purpose and then you’ll be ready for whatever life throws at you when your trials inevitably come.
Occasionally I find myself stepping in to solve some minor problem. Not a big deal, but others around me have been surprised that I simply solved the problem myself rather than consult an 'authority'. As they say, if you want it done right, do it yourself.
Yours is becoming an old school way of life. It is strange how many people will stand around and wait for something to be done or fixed instead of owning it. It is almost like a numbness. I hope that we are going to see this improve over time but how it will happen at a societal level with out intense instruction or through, worst case, some catastrophic event, I don’t know.
I'm in the middle of John McPhee's (the writer) book "La Place De LA Concorde Suisse" which is about the Swiss Army. When the book was written (not sure about now), military service was ingrained into everyday life with overlap in business and industry. Most men were required to serve and continue to be in reserves for much of their life. I thought of this while reading your essay because I believe the Swiss figured out a way to ingrain a can-do attitude through this service while also benefiting the government. E.g., rank in the army generally corresponds with private sector seniority, while the private sector subsidizes the army with salaries for reservists during service and use of its physical resources (office space) while soldiers organize training.
It's an interesting model with clear cultural particularities, especially compared to the US (different notions of freedom, liberty, government involvement).
It is a brilliant concept and one I am trying to scope out in several different angles. Integrating the best of the military tradition and self-command into the civilian world - all of the best of war with none of the downside - is something I am truly passionate about. I need to check this book out.
Hugely important matters here Sam. I did my dissertation research on learned helplessness, and discovered that the more "depressed" someone is, the more likely they are to give up trying even in situations where they can have control. Makes me think of Timothy Snyder's famous dictum "Don't give up in advance". Stoicism (and its modern guise CBT) are so useful for good mental training and resilience.
That is fascinating - the research for that dissertation must have been a thrill. I think you hit on a point I didn't fully flesh out in the essay, but I am willing to bet he had that quote prepared for just such an event. We can do that same. Thank you for the comment.
The way you wrapped this up with that last paragraph was fantastic. Nice work, Sam! "I've got them surrounded from the inside," will be a new motto for me.
Another great essay Sam. I remember learning about the early days of Naval Aviation, when accident rates were high and pilots were just as likely to die as not, and yet those pilots were out there every day thinking of how to do it just a little better.
I've been thinking a lot about how to instill the values of agency, and of over-doing it, into my own children. I saw the learned helplessness in schools and took them out of school. Now we talk about ancient Greek values of honor, cunning, ingenuity. We talk about philosophers and warriors. I don't know that I care if my kids decide to serve in the military, but I want them to know that they can do good and do it damned well. Over-do it as you say.
I really enjoyed the Mad Dog story. Thanks for bringing this one.
My pleasure, Latham, I'm grateful you enjoyed it. I appreciate the path you're on with your children, and can think of few greater places to look than the ancient Greeks. Odysseus was wily, but the core is there. When we pull the wisdom out of the British SBS motto of "By Strength and Guile", we find that the duality is rich and demands the fell spectrum of human potential from us. I want to do an essay on this soon as well because it is crucial and fascinating. Thank you for your comment.
I’m excited to read that essay. I’m currently working on my own on teaching morals and it looks at the wily, not always “morally assured” nature of Odysseus. I need to look more at the SBS now that you mention it.
It’s interesting that the first place people can take command is something as simple and difficult as their own health care. “I can’t get healthcare and get well because…” Because why? How come? This writer has been discoursing with the medical profession of late, it is now a fight, but I am my own Company Commander, I can take the fight to the Physician’s Assistance or simply give in to the ineptitude, you want to live and live well, than brow beat the PA to the point getting what you need. No one in this new world is coming to save you. A great lesson in turning things around is found in the fall of 1950 when the 8th Army disappeared off the face of the map north of the 38th parallel in what is now North Korea. Major General OP Smith (USMC) Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division which found itself basically surrounded, began as General Smith opined, “to attack in another direction.” What an attack it was, and it saved the division from a humiliating annihilation. many know the story. What we also might learn from that evolution, beyond the extraordinary courage of the Marines and Sailors fighting their way out to the sea; is the preplanning OP Smith did, on the way north past the 38th parallel. He took it on himself to develop his own intelligence and since there many Marines that had served in China, (1941) knew some Chinese and they came to believe that MacArthur and his acolytes didn’t have a clue about the situation that lay ahead of the forces heading north. Smith used every resource to prepare for what he believed would be the Chinese entering the fight. He was also lucky because the Admiral in charge of the whole mess agreed with his efforts and helped support the logistics Smith needed to get what remained of the division marched to the sea. He could have surrendered and blamed MacArthur but he simply took charge and while maybe not over doing it (would have required disobedience of direct orders) he did enough to save the day, week, month, year and maybe the decade. Lean in, when you don’t feel like getting out of the rack because it is minus 10 and wind is blowing, reboot, get one foot on the deck and by golly the second will follow and oddly you may find yourself standing up. At that point it is too late to retreat to the rack. Motion is lotion for both the body and brain. Great post Sam! Keep them coming!
This is a story well worth remembering. Had he "blamed MacArthur" instead of owning the situation, how many of his mens lives would have been lost? We are surrounded by wisdom. Thank you for sharing, Charles!
Excellent example. I believe it is again nature versus nurture. The Mad Dog mentality is in some’s DNA. It can be enhanced or suppressed by the society, but iit has to be the first.
Outside of a military context, how would you teach self-command to a civilian or help them increase the skill?
It is a great question. I agree with Kyle. Combat units, those whose lives are outdoors, those who push themselves in many different ways all embody this. I simply use the military because the examples are so powerful and clear. Anyone can do this. Epictetus will help. Learning new skills helps. Keeping examples like Mad Dog in mind helps. Reflecting on whatever it is we think is bothering us or keeping us down or that we can’t control is a chance to practice self command.
Looking forward to hearing Sam’s take on this.
Here is mine: You see him writing about combat and chaotic situations where the people he is highlighting reflect on their training to optimize response in the moment. We don’t need to join the military to train, to prepare, or to put ourselves in challenging environments so we can condition ideal responses.
I’d actually argue we are better off pursuing this training on our own rather than be told to do it by an organization we are a part of. Voluntarily pursuing discomfort so you can train self-command creates the muscle memory for resilience.
Get after it on purpose and then you’ll be ready for whatever life throws at you when your trials inevitably come.
Spot on Kyle.
Occasionally I find myself stepping in to solve some minor problem. Not a big deal, but others around me have been surprised that I simply solved the problem myself rather than consult an 'authority'. As they say, if you want it done right, do it yourself.
Yours is becoming an old school way of life. It is strange how many people will stand around and wait for something to be done or fixed instead of owning it. It is almost like a numbness. I hope that we are going to see this improve over time but how it will happen at a societal level with out intense instruction or through, worst case, some catastrophic event, I don’t know.
I'm in the middle of John McPhee's (the writer) book "La Place De LA Concorde Suisse" which is about the Swiss Army. When the book was written (not sure about now), military service was ingrained into everyday life with overlap in business and industry. Most men were required to serve and continue to be in reserves for much of their life. I thought of this while reading your essay because I believe the Swiss figured out a way to ingrain a can-do attitude through this service while also benefiting the government. E.g., rank in the army generally corresponds with private sector seniority, while the private sector subsidizes the army with salaries for reservists during service and use of its physical resources (office space) while soldiers organize training.
It's an interesting model with clear cultural particularities, especially compared to the US (different notions of freedom, liberty, government involvement).
It is a brilliant concept and one I am trying to scope out in several different angles. Integrating the best of the military tradition and self-command into the civilian world - all of the best of war with none of the downside - is something I am truly passionate about. I need to check this book out.
Hugely important matters here Sam. I did my dissertation research on learned helplessness, and discovered that the more "depressed" someone is, the more likely they are to give up trying even in situations where they can have control. Makes me think of Timothy Snyder's famous dictum "Don't give up in advance". Stoicism (and its modern guise CBT) are so useful for good mental training and resilience.
That is fascinating - the research for that dissertation must have been a thrill. I think you hit on a point I didn't fully flesh out in the essay, but I am willing to bet he had that quote prepared for just such an event. We can do that same. Thank you for the comment.
The way you wrapped this up with that last paragraph was fantastic. Nice work, Sam! "I've got them surrounded from the inside," will be a new motto for me.
You're very welcome Andrew. I was stunned when I read it and have it on repeat in my mind.
Great article this week!
Thank you, Jamie, I appreciate the note.
Another great essay Sam. I remember learning about the early days of Naval Aviation, when accident rates were high and pilots were just as likely to die as not, and yet those pilots were out there every day thinking of how to do it just a little better.
I've been thinking a lot about how to instill the values of agency, and of over-doing it, into my own children. I saw the learned helplessness in schools and took them out of school. Now we talk about ancient Greek values of honor, cunning, ingenuity. We talk about philosophers and warriors. I don't know that I care if my kids decide to serve in the military, but I want them to know that they can do good and do it damned well. Over-do it as you say.
I really enjoyed the Mad Dog story. Thanks for bringing this one.
My pleasure, Latham, I'm grateful you enjoyed it. I appreciate the path you're on with your children, and can think of few greater places to look than the ancient Greeks. Odysseus was wily, but the core is there. When we pull the wisdom out of the British SBS motto of "By Strength and Guile", we find that the duality is rich and demands the fell spectrum of human potential from us. I want to do an essay on this soon as well because it is crucial and fascinating. Thank you for your comment.
I’m excited to read that essay. I’m currently working on my own on teaching morals and it looks at the wily, not always “morally assured” nature of Odysseus. I need to look more at the SBS now that you mention it.
It’s interesting that the first place people can take command is something as simple and difficult as their own health care. “I can’t get healthcare and get well because…” Because why? How come? This writer has been discoursing with the medical profession of late, it is now a fight, but I am my own Company Commander, I can take the fight to the Physician’s Assistance or simply give in to the ineptitude, you want to live and live well, than brow beat the PA to the point getting what you need. No one in this new world is coming to save you. A great lesson in turning things around is found in the fall of 1950 when the 8th Army disappeared off the face of the map north of the 38th parallel in what is now North Korea. Major General OP Smith (USMC) Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division which found itself basically surrounded, began as General Smith opined, “to attack in another direction.” What an attack it was, and it saved the division from a humiliating annihilation. many know the story. What we also might learn from that evolution, beyond the extraordinary courage of the Marines and Sailors fighting their way out to the sea; is the preplanning OP Smith did, on the way north past the 38th parallel. He took it on himself to develop his own intelligence and since there many Marines that had served in China, (1941) knew some Chinese and they came to believe that MacArthur and his acolytes didn’t have a clue about the situation that lay ahead of the forces heading north. Smith used every resource to prepare for what he believed would be the Chinese entering the fight. He was also lucky because the Admiral in charge of the whole mess agreed with his efforts and helped support the logistics Smith needed to get what remained of the division marched to the sea. He could have surrendered and blamed MacArthur but he simply took charge and while maybe not over doing it (would have required disobedience of direct orders) he did enough to save the day, week, month, year and maybe the decade. Lean in, when you don’t feel like getting out of the rack because it is minus 10 and wind is blowing, reboot, get one foot on the deck and by golly the second will follow and oddly you may find yourself standing up. At that point it is too late to retreat to the rack. Motion is lotion for both the body and brain. Great post Sam! Keep them coming!
This is a story well worth remembering. Had he "blamed MacArthur" instead of owning the situation, how many of his mens lives would have been lost? We are surrounded by wisdom. Thank you for sharing, Charles!
Thanks again, Brother!
You’re welcome my friend!
Sam, as always, thanks for the kick in the ass I need each Tuesday!
You are more than welcome John, thank you for reading!
My favorite learned expression was “Full Benefit”.
It’s an instant mindset shift.
Every Adversity is an opportunity to grow, learn, get stronger, and become better.
Well said, Wolfgang. I'm here for full benefit - leaning all the way into it and learning to love the suck.
Absolute gold again, Sam.
Thank you Adam, I see similar themes in your own writing that striking. It is a good path to be on.
Excellent example. I believe it is again nature versus nurture. The Mad Dog mentality is in some’s DNA. It can be enhanced or suppressed by the society, but iit has to be the first.
Agreed, Barry. I would love to see it being taught at scale instead of in rare circumstances.