POINTS TO PONDER
If you cannot walk together,
you cannot work together.
Yogi Bhajan
Those who shall not learn to obey
shall never be in a position to command.
Yogi Bhajan
The Synergistic Equation: 1 plus 1 equals 11.
When this equation is applied, the 'me' perspective
morphs into the universal 'we' condition. The result is
that every effort happens exponentially for the common
good, i.e., teamwork within the group trumps working alone.
1Plus1Equals11.com
HISTORICAL
BACKGROUND
General
von Steuben with General Washington
The
current U.S. military Close Order Drill is still based on the contributions
of General
Friedrich von Steuben, a Prussian Army officer who served
as a volunteer in the Continental
Army. He is otherwise known as 'Savior of the Army' for his
leadership in organizing American troops in America's Revolutionary
War.
von Steuben
instructing troops
During
their 1778 winter quarters in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, von
Steuben taught a select company of 100 soldiers close
order and musket drills. During this process, these men experienced
working together towards a common goal where their individual
'me' became their collective 'we'. These soldiers, in turn, taught
the remainder of the Continental Army, which in turn endowed the
Army with the vision and determination to overcome many hardships
with dauntless courage and sacrifice. The rest is history.
See
von Steuben's 'The
Blue Book' - Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the
Troops. See how Khalsa Women transform 'me' into
'we'.
TESTIMONIAL
Sat Nam. This is a testimonial from a former resident of the Denver ashram that was discovered online by my wife. It is one of the very few accounts I've ever heard that has also experienced a spiritual insight while performing Close Order Drill.*
"One of the highest spiritual practices I ever did was Close Order Drill
at the Denver ashram. I learned so much about responding over reacting
-- about authority over disrespect -- about the other over the self. Thank you,
Hari Singh Bird, the greatest spiritual teacher I ever had." -- Vince Melito
Reading his account causes me to reflect on my training and experiences with COD in the Marine Corps, and when Yogi Bhajan requested that I go to the Phoenix, AZ and San Francisco, CA ashrams back in the late '70s to lead COD during morning sadhana. It also makes me wonder why this is not a part of today's 3HO/Sikh Dharma experience as when Yogiji introduced it to the women at KWTC many years ago. I've often wondered to if people understand the technology and its role in teaching leadership skills.
*TRADITION AND DEFINITION OF
CLOSE ORDER DRILL
One of the cornerstones of Marine Corps customs, courtesies and traditions is our execution of close order drill and ceremonies. These traditions are perpetuated from one generation to the next through constant use and practice. The “esprit de corps” of every Marine has been brought about by their ever-present feeling of pride, not only in their unit, but also in themselves. The preservation of traditional discipline, our customs and courtesies, and the heritage of our Corps is our duty. It is our further duty to see that the same high standard of discipline and esprit de corps is not only preserved, but also further strengthened. These intangibles must be passed on to the future Marines who will take their place among the ranks of our Corps.
The object of close order drill is to teach Marines by exercise to obey orders and to do so immediately in the correct way. Close Order Drill is our foundation of discipline and esprit de corps. Additionally, it is still one of the finest methods for developing confidence and troop leading abilities in our subordinate leaders. -- MARINE CORPS DRILL AND CEREMONIES MANUAL
Those who shall not learn to obey shall never be in a position to command. -- Yogi Bhajan |
See CloseOrderDrill.com.
See Birth of The Marine Corps.
See how Khalsa Women transform 'me' into
'we'.
