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Commanders Who Lead from the Front

(Israel Hayom) Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Uzi Dayan - IDF special forces Lt. Col. M. was killed during an operation in Gaza this week. As someone who has participated in operations and has been wounded, I can say that the commanders see themselves first and foremost as soldiers in the lead. In their eyes, the best place for them to be is at the front of their troops. There is risk involved, but the blood of a lieutenant colonel is not more valuable than the blood of a sergeant. They are both just as valuable. This style of command produces the best mission performance and imbues the fighters with optimal confidence. Special unit members train hard and delve into the tiniest of details. Every operational eventuality has a contingency plan, which the soldiers drill. They know the unforeseen can happen, and they train to overcome unanticipated obstacles. As soon as possible after every operation, the soldiers debrief to identify their mistakes, so that the next team will be better prepared to execute the next mission. During the debriefings, the soldiers speak honestly, knowing the truth will not be used against them; rather, lessons will be learned to save lives in the future. The motto of the commanders in the field is always "follow me." This is how security is provided for Israel's citizens. The writer is a former Israeli national security adviser and IDF deputy chief of staff.
2018-11-14 00:00:00
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