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"The Plattsburg Manual A Handbook for Military Training"

He wants to feel that
there is no favoritism; that justice prevails.
Be stern in discipline. Exact nothing less than the best in a man.
Tolerate no slovenliness. Deal laziness a sharp rebuke. The great
majority of your men are doing their level best. Let them know that this
is what you expect, but at the same time you appreciate them for it.
When a thing is wrong, say so. Explain the correct method. Do so calmly
and efficiently. You have made worse mistakes yourself. Your men did not
want to make the mistake. They did so from ignorance. It is possible
that you have not made the matter clear to them, or the fault is yours
not theirs.
Don't be too intimate with your men. Experience has proven that you
cannot fraternize with an enlisted man one minute and then punish him
for misconduct the next.
When you discipline a man, first make him see his error from your point
of view, and then, reprimand him or decide on his punishment in an
absolutely impersonal manner.
Grow impatient, become excited, and irritable, rebuke too severely an
uninstructed man who has made a small, unintentional mistake, use any
words unworthy of your position--and you demonstrate clearly to your men
your unworthiness to hold your office.


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