I am about to post a paper I wrote while serving in the Navy at the behest of my Command Master Chief.
This is in regards to some responses in the most recent thread about Bill Stroud and the DYD contest.
Honor, Courage, Commitment are the three tenants that the Navy holds so dear. To many of today’s world these are just words; however, if we look to our past we will see that those of yesteryear held these words in the highest esteem. From the Samurai of Feudal Japan, to the gentlemen of Europe and early America, these ideas were taken deadly serious. As members of the highest regarded war fighting power in the world, we should strive to bring the concepts behind these words back into high regard.
In Japan, from the 12th century to the nineteenth century, the Shoguns were the ruling power. Samurai were what gave them this power. Bushido, (the code of the warrior), was followed to the letter, and honor was held to be the most important thing in one’s life. This was so much the case that if that honor were infringed in any way, they would commit seppuku. Seppuku is a ritualistic suicide in which a long razor sharp knife would be thrust into the abdomen, and pulled upward across the sternum slicing through bowels and lung eventually piercing the heart. The Samurai would choose his most trusted friend or in the case of defeat in battle, often times the commander who had defeated him to stand over his head and deliver a decapitating blow from a katana (Japanese long sword). This was done to prevent him from crying out because crying out would be considered a dishonor. This means that the Samurai of feudal Japan held honor above life, and had the courage and commitment to induce this death sentence upon themselves.
In no way has honor been more countenant than in Europe in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. If a man felt he had been dishonored he would challenge the offending party to a duel. While being different than the reaction of the Japanese personage to feeling dishonored, this is still a showcase to the strength of will and dedication to beliefs that European and early American man held.
The following is an excerpt of a story regarding the Chevalier de Bayard of France who had a prisoner of war from Spain:
The Chevalier de Bayard once had a Spaniard as a prisoner of war. The Spaniard upon release told all and sundry that he had not been treated as a gentleman should be- a story that none believed as all knew that Bayard was the most courteous man alive.
Bayard grew weary of the Spaniard’s story, and sent him a cartel, offering to meet him. The Spaniard accepted, and on the appointed day the two met. The Spaniard unexpectedly called for the fight to be on foot, as Bayard had a touch of the ague and would be thought to be at a disadvantage. Bayard of course accepted quickly enough despite the concern of his seconds, as no man should cry off a duel unless sick unto death, and the list field was marked out.
Don Alonzo selected the arms and armour to be used- a close helm and gorget, with spear and dagger. The combatants knelt to pray and then Bayard laid himself flat to kiss the earth before springing up and advancing as gayly as if he was entering some palace to dance with fair ladies.
Don Alonzo was no less at ease, and went straight to Bayard saying “Sir Bayard, what would you of me?” To which Bayard answered “To defend my honour!”. They fell to, dealing fierce thrusts.
Alonzo was wounded slightly in the face, then several more blows were exchanged without result.
Bayard noticed his opponent had a trick of thrusting and then immediately parrying to deflect any return his adversary might make. The Chevalier then waited for the Spaniard to raise his arm for a thrust, then started to deliver his return…but waited a moment for the parry to pass so that the unblocked attack went home. The lance went a good four inches through the gorget into the man’s throat!
Don Alonzo feeling he was wounded unto death grapples with Bayard and they both fell to the ground. Bayard drew his dagger and held it to the Spaniard’s nostrils crying “Surrender or you are a dead man!” but too late, for Alonzo was dead already.
Alonzo’s second came forward to say “Seigneur Bayard, he is dead and you have conquered.” And no one was more distressed than the victor who said that he would have given a hundred thousand crowns to have conquered him alive.
Bayard then dragged the body from the lists, as it was his to do with as he pleased. By the laws of the duel he could have left it for the dogs, but he gave it in the keeping of Alonzo’s seconds for honorable burial, showing his honor and courtesy.
As you can see from this illustration, honor played an extremely important role in past societies. This desire to defend one’s honor taken to the extreme of risking or causing one’s own or another’s death is not solely relegated to foreign countries in times half a millennium or more in the past. Only two hundred years ago here in America a highly decorated war hero, lawyer and political aspirate challenged Alexander Hamilton to a duel. This was after a term as vice president of the United States and attempts to become president himself. While limiting himself from certain dishonorable lobbying practices his opponents had no such qualms. Alexander Hamilton spread slanderous rumors to the press and tiring of this, Aaron Burr, challenged him to a duel to defend his honor. While hoping solely for an apology from Alexander Hamilton, all of their communications escalated to the point of not being able to avoid a confrontation. The duel took place and Aaron Burr emerged the victor killing Alexander Hamilton by shooting him, the choice of weapons having been the pistol.
This having been an historical look on honor, courage and commitment in the past, how can we as modern day military men in our age of computers and fiber optic communication apply these principles to modern times? The answer to this question is simple; however, it is unfortunately not easy. If we were to poll modern Americans and even sailors, my guess would be that most would be hard pressed to even accurately define the terms Honor, Courage and Commitment. This is an unfortunate byproduct of a society that scoffs at the idea of selfless idealism. The reason I used historical data to illustrate these terms is that I wish to evoke a certain emotion when these words are read, spoken or heard. That is what they lack in today’s society. In times past, a visceral response would have been expected from anyone who dared to insult another man’s family or honor in any way.
There is a way in which we can help to restore the emotion behind these words, and attribute the meaning they had when the United States Navy first installed them as the core values. When information comes to light, we can speak up. We can take any information we have to the chain of command. We can have the courage to not be afraid of adverse action taken against us. I can guarantee that any action that is taken out on us for doing so would be minute in comparison to what our ancestors were willing to endure and what they were willing to risk and endure to maintain their honor. We can have the integrity to stand up and not accept things that are wrong and to do those things that are right and we can speak up if mistakes are made, even if they are by others that benefit us. These are the things that define the modern day Navy core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.
There have been times in the past when I have been tempted to post this paper that I wrote on the forum, but since I didn't have a digital copy and only had the printed copy, I had restrained myself.
However, when someone tried to compare gangland slayings to the type of honor killings illustrated above, I figured it was time to go ahead and type it out in digital format and post it.
If it wasn't so long I would've have just posted it to the existing thread and not started a new one, but I believe it deserves it's own thread...
Jaden
This is in regards to some responses in the most recent thread about Bill Stroud and the DYD contest.
Honor, Courage, Commitment are the three tenants that the Navy holds so dear. To many of today’s world these are just words; however, if we look to our past we will see that those of yesteryear held these words in the highest esteem. From the Samurai of Feudal Japan, to the gentlemen of Europe and early America, these ideas were taken deadly serious. As members of the highest regarded war fighting power in the world, we should strive to bring the concepts behind these words back into high regard.
In Japan, from the 12th century to the nineteenth century, the Shoguns were the ruling power. Samurai were what gave them this power. Bushido, (the code of the warrior), was followed to the letter, and honor was held to be the most important thing in one’s life. This was so much the case that if that honor were infringed in any way, they would commit seppuku. Seppuku is a ritualistic suicide in which a long razor sharp knife would be thrust into the abdomen, and pulled upward across the sternum slicing through bowels and lung eventually piercing the heart. The Samurai would choose his most trusted friend or in the case of defeat in battle, often times the commander who had defeated him to stand over his head and deliver a decapitating blow from a katana (Japanese long sword). This was done to prevent him from crying out because crying out would be considered a dishonor. This means that the Samurai of feudal Japan held honor above life, and had the courage and commitment to induce this death sentence upon themselves.
In no way has honor been more countenant than in Europe in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. If a man felt he had been dishonored he would challenge the offending party to a duel. While being different than the reaction of the Japanese personage to feeling dishonored, this is still a showcase to the strength of will and dedication to beliefs that European and early American man held.
The following is an excerpt of a story regarding the Chevalier de Bayard of France who had a prisoner of war from Spain:
The Chevalier de Bayard once had a Spaniard as a prisoner of war. The Spaniard upon release told all and sundry that he had not been treated as a gentleman should be- a story that none believed as all knew that Bayard was the most courteous man alive.
Bayard grew weary of the Spaniard’s story, and sent him a cartel, offering to meet him. The Spaniard accepted, and on the appointed day the two met. The Spaniard unexpectedly called for the fight to be on foot, as Bayard had a touch of the ague and would be thought to be at a disadvantage. Bayard of course accepted quickly enough despite the concern of his seconds, as no man should cry off a duel unless sick unto death, and the list field was marked out.
Don Alonzo selected the arms and armour to be used- a close helm and gorget, with spear and dagger. The combatants knelt to pray and then Bayard laid himself flat to kiss the earth before springing up and advancing as gayly as if he was entering some palace to dance with fair ladies.
Don Alonzo was no less at ease, and went straight to Bayard saying “Sir Bayard, what would you of me?” To which Bayard answered “To defend my honour!”. They fell to, dealing fierce thrusts.
Alonzo was wounded slightly in the face, then several more blows were exchanged without result.
Bayard noticed his opponent had a trick of thrusting and then immediately parrying to deflect any return his adversary might make. The Chevalier then waited for the Spaniard to raise his arm for a thrust, then started to deliver his return…but waited a moment for the parry to pass so that the unblocked attack went home. The lance went a good four inches through the gorget into the man’s throat!
Don Alonzo feeling he was wounded unto death grapples with Bayard and they both fell to the ground. Bayard drew his dagger and held it to the Spaniard’s nostrils crying “Surrender or you are a dead man!” but too late, for Alonzo was dead already.
Alonzo’s second came forward to say “Seigneur Bayard, he is dead and you have conquered.” And no one was more distressed than the victor who said that he would have given a hundred thousand crowns to have conquered him alive.
Bayard then dragged the body from the lists, as it was his to do with as he pleased. By the laws of the duel he could have left it for the dogs, but he gave it in the keeping of Alonzo’s seconds for honorable burial, showing his honor and courtesy.
As you can see from this illustration, honor played an extremely important role in past societies. This desire to defend one’s honor taken to the extreme of risking or causing one’s own or another’s death is not solely relegated to foreign countries in times half a millennium or more in the past. Only two hundred years ago here in America a highly decorated war hero, lawyer and political aspirate challenged Alexander Hamilton to a duel. This was after a term as vice president of the United States and attempts to become president himself. While limiting himself from certain dishonorable lobbying practices his opponents had no such qualms. Alexander Hamilton spread slanderous rumors to the press and tiring of this, Aaron Burr, challenged him to a duel to defend his honor. While hoping solely for an apology from Alexander Hamilton, all of their communications escalated to the point of not being able to avoid a confrontation. The duel took place and Aaron Burr emerged the victor killing Alexander Hamilton by shooting him, the choice of weapons having been the pistol.
This having been an historical look on honor, courage and commitment in the past, how can we as modern day military men in our age of computers and fiber optic communication apply these principles to modern times? The answer to this question is simple; however, it is unfortunately not easy. If we were to poll modern Americans and even sailors, my guess would be that most would be hard pressed to even accurately define the terms Honor, Courage and Commitment. This is an unfortunate byproduct of a society that scoffs at the idea of selfless idealism. The reason I used historical data to illustrate these terms is that I wish to evoke a certain emotion when these words are read, spoken or heard. That is what they lack in today’s society. In times past, a visceral response would have been expected from anyone who dared to insult another man’s family or honor in any way.
There is a way in which we can help to restore the emotion behind these words, and attribute the meaning they had when the United States Navy first installed them as the core values. When information comes to light, we can speak up. We can take any information we have to the chain of command. We can have the courage to not be afraid of adverse action taken against us. I can guarantee that any action that is taken out on us for doing so would be minute in comparison to what our ancestors were willing to endure and what they were willing to risk and endure to maintain their honor. We can have the integrity to stand up and not accept things that are wrong and to do those things that are right and we can speak up if mistakes are made, even if they are by others that benefit us. These are the things that define the modern day Navy core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.
There have been times in the past when I have been tempted to post this paper that I wrote on the forum, but since I didn't have a digital copy and only had the printed copy, I had restrained myself.
However, when someone tried to compare gangland slayings to the type of honor killings illustrated above, I figured it was time to go ahead and type it out in digital format and post it.
If it wasn't so long I would've have just posted it to the existing thread and not started a new one, but I believe it deserves it's own thread...
Jaden
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They're so TOUGH.
