Why Orderlies?

Excerpted from the book Follow Me-II by Maj Gen Aubrey Newman (Lancer International 1993 Price Rs 200). The write- up is equally informative to both, the Armed Forces and citizens.

1. After I assumed command of my first company, the first sergeant a decorated veteran of World War came in to my office and asked "Captain, will you select your orderly or do you want me to pick one for you?" Of course I knew it was customary for the company commander to have an orderly- even in garrison in that day. But I replied "Well Sergeant, live in the BOQ and take care of myself, there is not much to do, so I don't think an orderly necessary."

2. The old sergeant stood silent a minute. Then choosing his words carefully, he said "Captain the company will not like it that way, its best you take care of the company and we take care of you." So I got an orderly who was also the company bugler and company runner.

3. Battle- Wise soldiers know that if their captain is chasing his own chores in the field, caring for his equipment running his own errands-plus using the first sergeant as a legman-the company will suffer as a result. In fact a company commander who operates in this way during combat will not only fail to take good care of his company, he might jeopardize their lives by poor decisions. His rank and responsibilities do not make him a superman immune to laws of time, space, and fatigue.

4. Professional soldiers, especially combat veterans know this goes beyond physical factors-for a state of mind and a mental attitude are concerned. This does not happen suddenly after bullets begin to snarl, but is established during training based on mutual respect and understanding. Any outfit that has failed to gain this officer enlisted relationship of mutual responsibility towards each other will be tremendously handicapped in battle. While the captain and his orderly or a symbol of this, it should pervade the whole outfit.

5. Unfortunately distorted diatribes alleging universal abuse of orderlies appear in the public press from time to time. This deceives civilians about the place and function of military orderlies. It also misleads many inexperienced soldiers, officer and enlisted, who think in terms of privileges rather than multiplicity of duties and responsibilities.

6. The reality of need for orderlies does not condone their misuse or abuse, nor should we dignify absurd allegations by trying to justify them. In every endeavour involving large numbers of people there will be some poor judgement, some injustice. And orderlies are vulnerable to abuses. Proper corrective action in such instances is the elimination of errors, not emasculation of an operational procedure for which no adequate alternate has yet been found. As to orderlies and aides in garrison for senior officers in peace- time that is a different situation beyond discussion here.

7. Perhaps the function of military orderlies may be clarified by my experience when in command of a regimental combat team (more than 5000 men) in the assault landing on Leyte. There was a regimental staff to help me, but I also had a personal enlisted staff of five.

8. One orderly in the command post responsible for my personal gear, laundry, meals, sleeping arrangements anything that it would rob me of time and energy, or distract my concentration from our battle mission and to have coffee always available.

9. One orderly was (bodyguard) with me everywhere I went. He was an armed fighter, but his primary mission was to conserve my strength in every possible way. It is amazing how much energy and time an alert bodyguard can save his commander- in addition to protecting him from enemy action. One radio operator who followed me everywhere was instantly available when needed. One jeep driver, ready day and night to take me anywhere. One standby jeep and driver.

10. These five man were soldiers whose only job was to do my bidding, instantly, thus helping me carry out my heavy responsibilities. All of us had the same mission: success of our regiment in battle. They understood this and were picked men, proud of their jobs and eager to do their part. Without any one of them I would have been seriously handicapped. Make no mistake: when you stumble back into the command post at sundown, physically and mentally exhausted, your heart bleeding from what you have seen, yet faced with the necessity of issuing orders on which many lives will depend- it is important that a cup of coffee come a running, and that you need give no thought to food, where you will bed down, or other personal needs.

11. If these procedures are not established during peace, they will not suddenly be there during war. A state of mind on both sides, is concerned that cannot be achieved by pressing a button it is a feeling. Inexperienced officers and men who have never been in battle are likely to be deluded into getting the wrong feeling after reading some of the things about orderlies that appear in the public press.

12. Be alert to stop abuses, yes. But my veteran first sergeant stated a universal principle that is beneath the dignity of no soldier, and must pervade every good outfit if it to achieve its greatest combat effectiveness: "Captain it's best you take care of the company, and we take care of you."