A pamphlet released by the U.S Army around February 1949 detailed in part what should be the personal conduct of a soldier. “Ladies do not like the whistling and catcalls and the personal remarks that “drug-store cowboys” hurl in their direction. Such conduct on the part of a soldier would bring discredit upon your unit, your post, and the entire Army. Remember that respect for women is one of the earmarks of a gentleman”.
“A true soldier has one thing on his mind; that is, winning the war and thereby pleasing his commander… Unless a soldier adds good personal conduct to endurance and focus, he would still be a poor specimen. “
From our text, there is a list of things that can make for good soldiering in the Army of Christ. The first is to cultivate the virtue of endurance. Soldiering is different from picnicking. One is war the other is a funfair. Someone enlisted in the army must train in techniques for obstacle crossing and surmounting all difficulties. Believers who grumble at the slightest manifestation of discomfort portray poor specimens of soldiers. Next to endurance is focus. Someone intent at winning a war cannot afford to entertain multiple interests at the same time. A true soldier has one thing on his mind; that is, winning the war and thereby pleasing his commander. To this might be added a lesson from the pamphlet cited earlier. Unless a soldier adds good personal conduct to endurance and focus, he would still be a poor specimen. The Army authority warned soldiers against conduct that may “bring discredit upon your unit, your post, and the entire Army”. The conduct of one can set up a ripple effect that would cascade down the entire rank and file. This is true of the Christian faith. The misconduct of one person can subject the name of the Lord to blasphemy and His Word ridiculed.