WAR: The Results of Hesitation

In armed conflict, hesitation can mean the difference between life and death, or victory and defeat. Decisions need to be made instantaneously on the battlefield or in the greater theater of war. One brief moment of indecisiveness can alter the outcome of war, and the consequences can be devastating to militaries and nations.

Reluctance to take action at different levels of authority can have various effects on combat. Individuals who are not in command may waver and cause minor casualties. When a commander falters, positions on a battlefield can be lost and the sacrifice of life can be severe. If there is hesitation within the general, strategic adjustments in war, entire armies could perish and countries could be brought to ruin.

Indecision on a small scale, perhaps from just one soldier, may lead to tragedy for a handful of troops. Fighters in a heated contest may hesitate to take cover, or may flinch when it’s necessary to fire their weapon, which could ultimately lead to their death and the lost lives of their comrades. It may not completely destroy their forces or jeopardize their position, but an accumulation of delayed actions could lead to more significant consequences. That is why training exercises are vital for the military. They harden the resolve of the troops and teach soldiers to react instinctively.

Commanders on the battlefield have a more substantial effect on an army’s success or failure. The tides of war can change dramatically in a very short period of time. A decision to take a new position or demand a retreat must be done quickly and imperatively. A good commander is a decisive one, even if the orders are not popular with subordinates. Hesitation could lead to a suspicion among the ranks that their leader lacks confidence in his abilities, and can cause deficiencies in troop morale.

General George Washington made several commands in the early stages of the Revolutionary War that allowed his army to avoid unnecessary battles and defeat. In early March, 1776, Washington and his fellow officers made a move to overtake Dorchester Heights at Boston, Massachusetts. The order was given and the plan was carried out during the night. It was a key position overlooking the city and provided the colonists a fortified hill from which they could bombard the British if necessary. At daybreak, the British realized what had taken place, and in less than two days their order of retreat from Boston was given.

Later that year, George Washington narrowly avoided capture twice while trying to defend New York. In both instances, he commanded and carried out retreats, saving himself from an embarrassing rout and from being taken prisoner. If either were allowed to happen, the Revolutionary War almost certainly would have been lost by the American colonists. Surely, the British wanted that result. Washington knew of the effect a withdrawal would have on morale, but understood the consequences of defeat. His decisive actions, although they forfeited an important city, ensured he and his army would live to fight another day.

Implementing and adapting strategies is the most important aspect of war. The methods can be shaped by the influence of society and governments. Any hesitation to seize an opportunity can be fatal to the general cause. It allows the enemy more time to carry out their own strategies, to fortify positions, or to escape unharmed. None of these are helpful in securing victory. There cannot be fear of offending the enemy. Being reluctant to strike a target, or second-guessing plans that are sure to win in order to appear more compassionate, is dangerous to the welfare of nations.

President Harry Truman did not hesitate to use the atomic bomb in World War II. Once a successful test was completed, it took only three weeks for him to give the order to use them and to carry out the attacks on Japan. Whether the decision to use these weapons was right or wrong, they effectively ended the war in the Pacific within days. Truman’s decisiveness saved innumerable American lives and possibly billions in taxpayer dollars.

In the 1990’s, the opportunity to kill or capture Osama Bin Laden was missed because of bureaucracy in our government. Indecisiveness by our own agencies and allies, accompanied by fear of reprisal from his supporters, left Western civilization reeling in the aftermath of his dastardly plots. The vacillation of international leaders led to a new era of global conflict, whose final results are yet to be seen. The enemy’s tactics of using civilians as shields and their use of the media to hype civilian deaths are part of a strategy to make our leaders and commanders hesitate on the battlefield, as well as in implementing procedures.

In all aspects of war, great leaders are decisive leaders. Sometimes risks need to be taken. Some bad decisions are going to be made. The world’s greatest military generals and heroes have suffered through losses at some point in their career. What makes them superior is the ability to use that experience to overcome their weaknesses as commanders. The knowledge gained allows them to foresee the results of the disease that is hesitation, and it can be applied to stave off failures in war. It is not enough to simply know the situation at hand; there must be tenacity and the determination to prevail.