1.
A competent leader can get efficient service from poor troops, while on the contrary an incapable leader can demoralize the best of troops.
John J. Pershing
A capable commander can elicit satisfactory results from inadequate personnel, whereas an inept leader can dishearten the most skilled troops.
2.
To get the best out of your men, they must feel that you are their real leader and must know that they can depend upon you.
John J. Pershing
To maximize the potential of your team, they must recognize you as their legitimate commander and be assured that they can depend on you.
3.
The deadliest weapon in the world is a MARINE and his rifle!
John J. Pershing
The most destructive force in existence is a MARINE and their firearm!
4.
The point I wish to make is that those things cause the soldier to remember that the people at home are behind him. You do not know how much that is going to mean to us who are going abroad. You do not know how much that means to any soldier who is over there carrying the flag for his country. That is the point which should be uppermost in the minds of those who are working for the soldier.
John J. Pershing
5.
Why in hell can't the Army do it if the Marines can. They are the same kind of men; why can't they be like Marines.
John J. Pershing
'What is the cause of the discrepancy between Army and Marine capabilities, when they are composed of similar personnel?'
6.
If you know how to shoot, and are quite ready to shoot, the chances are that you won't have to shoot.
John J. Pershing
7.
Infantry, Artillery, Aviation - all that we have - are yours to dispose of as you will. . . . I have come to say to you that the American people would be proud to be engaged in the greatest battle in history.
John J. Pershing
8.
The World War demonstrated the importance of Field Artillery. The majority of casualties were inflicted by the arm.
John J. Pershing
9.
In each succeeding war there is a tendency to proclaim as something new the principles under which it is conducted. Not only those who have never studied or experienced the realities of war, but also professional soldiers frequently fall into the error. But the principles of warfare as I learned them at West Point remain unchanged.
John J. Pershing
10.
The representatives of business interests are the men to start this enterprise among our people and bring them to a full realization of the very grave seriousness of this war, to make them feel that we are in this war to win, and the probability is that our entering this war is going to be the deciding factor, and that the burden of the success is going to rest upon the United States.
John J. Pershing
11.
Your Marines having been under my command for nearly six months, I feel that I can give you a discriminating report as to their excellent standing with their brothers of the army and their general good conduct.
John J. Pershing
