Do you think Gen Patton would have survived today’s Army?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 15:00:04 -0500

In early August 1943, Lieutenant General George S. Patton garnered substantial controversy after he slapped two United States Army soldiers under his command during the Sicily Campaign of World War II. Patton's hard-driving personality and lack of belief in the medical condition then known as "battle fatigue" led to the soldiers becoming the subject of his ire in incidents on 3 and 10 August, when Patton struck and berated them after discovering they were patients at evacuation hospitals away from the front lines and without apparent physical injuries.

Word of the incidents spread among troops, eventually reaching Patton's superior, General Dwight Eisenhower, who compelled him to apologize. Patton's actions were initially suppressed in the news until journalist Drew Pearson publicized them, drawing significant attention in the United States. While Congress and the general public expressed both support and disdain for Patton's actions, Eisenhower and Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall opted not to fire Patton as a commander. He was nonetheless sidelined from combat command for almost a year.

Seizing the opportunity the predicament presented, Eisenhower used Patton as a decoy in Operation Fortitude, sending faulty intelligence to Nazi German agents that Patton was leading the Invasion of Europe. While Patton eventually returned to combat command in the European Theater in mid-1944, the slapping incidents were an example to Eisenhower, Marshall, and other leaders of Patton's brashness and impulsiveness

Gen. Patton earned the reputation of having a uniquely gifted military mind, immense energy and a penchant for being blunt. During the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, when the German Ardennes Offensive threatened to swallow up a surrounded American division at Bastogne, Patton pushed his men through mud and snow and relieved Bastogne on Dec. 26, 1944.

Good leaders help their people achieve greatness, even during hardships. It’s important to push your employees to meet their goals and advance their career.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2015 3:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 15:05:33 -0500

Yes, we know a lot more about PTSD/battle fatigue than they did back then. I suspect he would have been an even better and more effective leader with the information we have now.

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Jan 30 at 2015 3:06 PM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 15:06:23 -0500

To put it in perspective; Today's Army would not have survived General Patton!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2015 3:07 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 15:07:32 -0500

I think he would have. He was a very smart and educated leader. He was very well read and studied military history. He even believe to have served in past wars in another life. If he were alive today I think he would have been able to adapt to the expectations of our standards. I don't think he would have liked them but he would do what he had to be able to stay in the fight.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Jan 30 at 2015 3:19 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 15:19:53 -0500

He really didn't survive the WWII army! He was moved around despite being in the height of his career. They tricked the Germans into thinking he was going to lead the invasion of Calais which is why they massed forces there instead of Normandy.

It was tough Eisenhower to have to deal with him but he knew how good Patton was. Definitely one of my favorite generals. Recently there is a book about a conspiracy that since Patton wanted to attack the Soviets (he despised Communism) that he was killed and it was framed as a car accident. Interesting theory. We may never know!

Interesting tidbit, at West Point, his statue faces the library. While he was a cadet he failed his plebe (freshman) year. Rumor has it he never stepped foot in the library, which is why they had him facing the library. Pretty funny.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2015 3:26 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 15:26:25 -0500

It certainly would have been interesting to watch him in today's Army

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2015 3:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 15:33:05 -0500

While I am a huge Patton fan, it saddens me to know that he would not be able to cope in today's Army. The "me first" generation of soldiers would have undone the Wrath of Patton. He would not understand cell phone and Facebook and Instagram; basically the need to post your life on social media. Patton is one of the great military minds, ever, period. I would have loved to hear his input on how we, as an Army, should face the insurgency. Definitely a voice I would like to hear on that topic, and others, such as out withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan, the resurgence of he insurgents in Iraq, just to name a few topics, I would value his opinion on.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Jan 30 at 2015 5:52 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 17:52:39 -0500

I do not think he would survive today's "kindler" "gentler" army and the what's in it for me generation. The main reason he "survived" was GEN Bradley pleading with GEN Eisenhower, Eisenhower wanted to fire him after the slapping incident. Yes GEN Patton was a very educated and studious general but his mouth and actions got him into much trouble and in today's Army he would definitely be up on charges. Do not get me wrong I hold him in high regards as one of the best generals of all time.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2015 10:56 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 22:56:06 -0500

Considering the General believed he served in past armies and was reincarnated to serve as General Patton in WWII, if his assertion was correct, he likely IS serving and surviving in the US Army today. I'm betting he's somewhere in a Ranger Battalion or maybe Delta. Heck, he's probably shooting ISIS in the face right now.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2015 11:13 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 23:13:41 -0500

Patton was assassinated: http://www.rense.com/general85/pats.htm

Response by SPC David S. made Jan 30 at 2015 11:55 PM

SPC David S. — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 23:55:32 -0500

Wasn't he more or less fired after a heated exchange with Eisenhower over his statements he made about Nazis were just like Democrats and Republicans. Eisenhower relieved him of his military governorship and like a month later command of the Third Army. I think he would be fine with the Army part, but the POTUS part I feel would do him in again.

Response by CW3 Chuck Huddleston made Jan 31 at 2015 12:38 PM

CW3 Chuck Huddleston — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 12:38:10 -0500

No, I don't think he would be able to adjust to the "politically Correct" Bull**** of todays Army! The ridiculous ROE that are in existence would make him laugh as they were read and then cry as they were applied to him and his armored advances when engaged. Patton was in the service when soldiers were soldiers, they didn't have time out cards and they weren't very much into the "mother, may I" attitudes as they are now. Sorry, but it would be hard for so many of the older soldiers to accept the politics and trivial BS that is going on now. My .02.

Response by SFC Dan Sorrow, M.S. made Jan 31 at 2015 1:04 PM

SFC Dan Sorrow, M.S. — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 13:04:58 -0500

Your question causes me to wonder if today's military could defeat an enemy equivalent to Nazi Germany and their Axis allies. I honestly believe it took men like Patton to bring about victory/peace for the rest of the world. He's the type of General I'd want calling the shots if I'm in battle. Not some pansy hoping to satisfy the press or the politicians. Yes, I know the press and the politicians have their place in society, but their influence on the battlefield can be dangerous. We must have political support to engage in war, but their assessments prior to declaration must include the face they they've appointed and/or promoted officers and especially general officers of the highest quality and then place the care of the soldier and the path to victory in their hands.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 31 at 2015 1:16 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 13:16:16 -0500

General Patton was a man of his time. These are very different times and this is a very different Army.

It's also a very different nation.

Patton was a winner. He celebrated winning. Winning was his only goal.

The last person I remember who shared Patton's love of winning was Vince Lombardi.

I doubt that either man would be welcome in today's society.

Winning is reviled in the world of equality. Children are protected from losing by protecting them from winning. No one is allowed to keep score.

Can you image Patton or Lombardi surviving that sort of thing?

Forget Patton. Forget Lombardi. Here is the more important question: How well are you surviving?

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jul 11 at 2016 1:32 AM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 01:32:17 -0400

HELL NO