Freely

We can only welcome the excellent initiative taken by the Lavauzelle editions edit the book by Philippe Cholous a brief essay entitled: "the essential philosophy of the military command." It is indeed "dare" return to a subject so often debated in military schools, training and even in the "messes" even if the approach of the author is here imprint of philosophical reflection and religious references. And this trial is timely: Students large civilian schools they are not Internship seekers in the armed both their leadership style ask those who are destined to coach, to lead? Armies are also confronted with rampant desire to "civilianisation", which is a little to the armies that was once the "secularization of the clergy" (all things being equal!) And it should not be confused with increasing the number of civilian personnel in the forces, as the author points out. The reflection of Philippe Cholous also conveniently contrebat confusion often made between "management" and "command" will force to trivialize a component of society, disruptive and costly.
Noting that the military command, like all forms of command involves legality, legitimacy, competence, responsibility, uniqueness, the author develops, and we can not agree more, the characteristics of the "Military Command" often controversial: after explaining the uniqueness and recalled that "order" is not "manager" Philippe Cholous shows that the first relationship of subordination is based on the execution, the military command is part of the "art of war, "we remember that it is" execution ". Those who have experienced the operational life can only reach the author when it highlights the paradoxical relationship of subordination based on equal conditions. The overall aspect of the act of command, the requirement of consistency which involves the combination of form and substance, the deeply spiritual dimension (the flag is the soul of the Regiment), the transcendent framework and over death, the weight of history and moral obligations between free men are at the heart of the demonstration of the author.
A sequel to this test we like to imagine, broadening the reflection to situations of extreme violence, those where the command is exercised when the existence of all is questioned by gunfire killing applied live, "in the eyes eyes "in some way. This possibility presupposes that the one who commands, whatever their level of responsibility, so be brave, dignity, non-conformism and authenticity. It belongs to him especially to have convinced his men that he is and will be saving their lives.
A beautiful little book amount to put in the hands of those who hear think freely.