Courage is an absolute necessity for a soldier, encompassing both physical and moral aspects. Physical courage involves overcoming fear in the face of danger, while moral courage entails standing up for one’s beliefs even in the face of opposition from superiors. Courage is crucial for making difficult decisions in risky situations, and without it, a military leader cannot succeed.
A military leader must also possess a prominent and benevolent personality. It is essential for a leader to display qualities such as honesty, humility, sacrifice, and a willingness to put others before themselves. The eight personal qualities known as hasta brata, derived from Indonesian forefathers, serve as a guide for good leadership traits.
Loyalty to the country, the nation, and the people is another key characteristic that a military leader must possess. A leader’s commitment to the organization, dedication to comrades, and willingness to put the interests of their men above their own exemplify true loyalty.
In addition to personal qualities, professional skills and capabilities are crucial for a successful military leader. A leader must be well-versed in their field and proficient in tactics and techniques relevant to their role. Passion is also a vital element that drives a military leader to act dynamically and achieve victory.
Physical fitness is necessary for a military leader to lead by example and be a role model for their men. Presence at critical moments and places, forward-thinking, creativity, cybernetics, Murphy’s Law, and a sense of responsibility are all additional factors that define successful military leadership.
In essence, a successful military leader must embody courage, prominent personality, loyalty, professional skills, passion, physical fitness, and other essential qualities to lead effectively and achieve success in challenging and dynamic environments.