In a recent visit with our DPH Ms. Jen Green, she posed a question that she has utilized in some counseling sessions throughout her career. “TJ… what is your biggest bitch, gripe, complaint right now?”
There was a slight pause in the room as I pondered that question. I didn’t respond when she followed
up with, “Now… if you had given me your top complaint, I’d tell you that you now have to do the complete opposite and work to defend, support, and encourage why that issue or situation should occur the way it is.” Now imagine how mentally, emotionally, and maybe even spiritually engaging that could be for us not just as military members but also as individuals.
“I don’t like the plan of attack we’re about to take!” Now… “Can you tell me all the reasons that plan is
the best out of all the ones available?”
“I feel like we should have had pizza for dinner! But they decided to make soup and salad instead!.”
Now, “Can you tell me why the soup and salad was the best overall option?”
“I don’t understand why the leadership has us all out here for a group physical training session! It’s a
waste of my time!” Now… “Can you tell me, defend, and support why doing a group physical training
session is actually a good leadership decision to make?”
This simple exercise is designed to help members see different and new perspectives and admit that
sometimes our preferred choice may not be the best. We’ve let our emotional side of our brain overpower our analytical side, and we need to work to reset and rebalance the two out. (Easier said than done… I know)
This exercise, however, is one that Lt. Col Robert T. Frederick faced when working for General Eisenhower at the start of World War 2. The concept of a small tactical commando force to operate close to
and behind enemy lines was simply impossible and should not be given much thought. Let alone, it was written to be a joint force initiative of 50% American Servicemen and 50% Canadian Servicemen. Lt. Col Frederick put his stamp of “reject” on it and moved on to his next project. However, it didn’t take long before he was called before the boss and informed, “Congratulations! You are now the Commander of the First Special Service Force (FSSF). Now go execute the mission!” A man who spent hours writing up why something could not work was now challenged to make it work. The FSSF, joint American and Canadian servicemen were so successful in killing and terrorizing the enemy that they became known as “The Black Devils.” The FSSF thrived with this new honor and maximized it by printing up their logo and leaving it either on the dead German soldiers they killed at night slipping through enemy lines. On the card they added the words, “Das diche ende kommt noch!” translated it means, “The end of you is yet to come!” Lt. Col General Robert Frederick not only terrified the enemy but won respect and honor from his men. When the unit disbanded, the men openly admitted in books and journals that it was one of the rare times they cried during the war, some saying “the saddest moment of my life.”
Major General Frederick finished his career with 8x Purple Hearts and is the most wounded soldier in WW2 history. He received these injuries by fighting on the front lines alongside his men. Last reported by the FSSF museum, he is additionally the most wounded General in US history. On 5 December 1984, the FSSF were honored by Army Special Forces as being its ancestral origin. Further, the FSSF would be a significant influence towards the inspiration in writing the Hollywood hit film “Inglorious Bastards.” The unit patch can be seen on Brad Pitt’s uniform in certain scenes
Leaderistic 