'Many of my generation, the career captains, majors, and lieutenant colonels seasoned in that war [Vietnam], vowed that when our turn came to call the shots, we would not quietly acquiesce in halfhearted warfare for half-baked reasons that the American people could not understand.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Veterans of Vietnam vowed that when they later held command, they would not support half‑hearted wars driven by unclear motives.
- In plain terms
- Future leaders promised to avoid half‑hearted, poorly justified wars.
- What can you take from it?
- Demand clear purpose before committing troops.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How can leaders ensure war aims are clear?
- What mechanisms prevent half‑hearted engagements?
Another view
Strategic goals can be ambiguous by nature.
More from Colin Powell
'The policies - determining who would be drafted and who would be deferred, who would serve and who would escape, who would die and who would live - were an an…
Permalink to quote #13 'Leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible.'
Permalink to quote #15 'The healthiest competition occurs when average people win by putting in above-average effort.'
Permalink to quote #12
Related quotes
Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is.
George W. BushGeorge W. Bush quote #3 Politique interieure, je fais la guerre; politique exterieure, je fais la guerre. Je fais toujours la guerre.
Georges ClemenceauGeorges Clemenceau quote #3 I voted to hold Saddam Hussein accountable. I knew we had to hold him accountable. There's never been a doubt about that. But I also know that if we had done t…
John KerryJohn Kerry quote #8