Personal Courage

"P" is for Personal Courage

Anyone who has thought about soldiering knows the importance of COURAGE – both on an off the battlefield. It takes courage to withstand the rigors of war. It takes courage to assume responsibility for life and death decisions. It often takes courage to "do the right thing." Courage is one of the Army’s seven core values.

Here are some famous quotes on courage from past military leaders:

"Never take counsel of your fears." - "Stonewall" Jackson

"Untutored courage is useless in the face of educated bullets." - General George S. Patton, Jr.

"All men are frightened. The more intelligent they are, the more they are frightened. The courageous man is the man who forces himself, in spite of his fear, to carry on." - General George S. Patton, Jr.

The Army says about courage that: "It is the premier military value that enables us to conquer fear, danger or adversity no matter what the context happens to be (physical or moral)."

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE COURAGE? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?