Define Military leadership within the five fundamentals according to Sun Tzu in the Arrt of War.

THIS WAS LIMITED TO A 1-2 PAGE ESSAY ANSWER (TIMED) FOR A MIDTERM EXAM

Question:

According to Sun Tzu War is 'appraised in five fundamentals' How do these five fundamentals interrelate and how does the individual shape them? Define Military leadership within these five fundamentals.

Answer:

If the interpretation of Sun Tzu's "five fundamentals" by Chang Yü is adhered to, then the importance lies not only in the list, but the order itself: Moral Influence; Weather; Terrain; Command; and Doctrine. Although one can easily agree that moral influence, as defined by Tzu is the forerunner of the fundamentals, the remainder of the order can just as easily be argued. In the modern terminology, it is necessary to combine the influence with parts of Tzu's definition of command, and thus, the emergence of "Command Climate." Essential to leadership, and therefore the attitude of the troops and the subsequential mission accomplishment, stems from the attitude of the led and the relationship they have with their leader.

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When a leader displays self-confidence and then supports their actions with "sincerity, humanity....and strictness" then a command climate exists where the soldiers feel they are respected and that their leader has their best interest in mind--both in garrison, training, and combat, even if that best interest includes the fair imposing of disciplinary action.

Once the soldier's are ready to follow their leader, the second most important "fundamental" must fall to the doctrine. Even with a fantastic leader, a faulty doctrine can carry soldiers only so far, and the overall success will forever extend beyond grasp. As defined by Tzu, the "organization, control, [and] assignment of appropriate ranks to officers" becomes the spearhead of this importance. Once the leader is emplaced (by way of "appropriateness") and builds his rapport with his troops, the organization and control,