Long ago when I was an Army private in basic training at
Fort Knox, Kentucky I was taught General Order #1 by my drill sergeants- “I
will remain at my post until properly relieved.” Such a simple order undergirds
a firm foundation for discipline, responsibility, and teamwork. General Order
#1 does not consider my feelings or convenience or self-fulfillment, and
rightly so. Even today as a civilian I try to live by this simple instruction.
I was reminded of General Order #1 when my wife and I was
searching for a new television series to watch. We are naturally drawn to
British crime television programming for reasons I will not list here. We found
“Gently”, a series about a fictional Detective Chief Inspector George Gently, a
gruff cop, fighting crime in the Queen’s name in the 1960s.
One episode featured Gently and his younger colleague
Bacchus investigating the theft of military weapons from a Royal Air Force
(RAF) base. The RAF commander was named Campling. He was vey professional in
his demeanor and apparently respected by his officers and enlisted ranks on
base. Campling had been injured as a World War II fighter pilot and used a cane
to assist in his walking but he took his difficulty in stride.
When they discovered that the weapons had been stolen by a civilian
worker at the base Campling took his leave by telling Gently, “I will do my
duty.” After the RAF commander left Bacchus was confused. “Do his duty? The
guns were stolen.” He told Gently.
Gently responded, “He meant he was going to resign.” Bacchus
still was confused. “Resign? Why? The guns were stolen by someone else.” Gently
explained, “He was in charge. When you are in charge you cannot say you didn’t
know. It is your job to know. He is in the service; he takes responsibility.
Unlike our politicians.”
The fictional Commander Campling was perhaps “old school” to
some but not to me. Duty, honor, and responsibility are always in fashion and
must be a basis for a positive and fulfilling life whether one is a soldier,
politician, detective, or anyone else. I will do my duty.