A Message From General Hawk To All GI Joe Personnel

17 01 12 A Message From General Hawk To All GI Joe Personnel CAP 1

17 01 12 A Message From General Hawk To All GI Joe Personnel CAP 2

From: General Clayton M. Abernathy [codename: Hawk] To: All G.I. Joe personnel [active/reserve/former/in-training]

Joes:

As you know, intelligence has determined there is a HIGH PROBABILITY that Cobra managed to hack G.I. Joe communications and is sending false information with the intent of undermining our mission.

Cobra is relying on the honor and trustworthiness of Joe team members to follow these orders and act on this information.

You are, by your oath as fighting troops of the U.S. military, by your oath to the unit, and by your conscience as honorable warriors, to obey every LEGAL order given you.

Cobra will attempt to trick you into obeying illegal orders.

You are required, once again by your oath as fighting troops of the U.S. military, by your oath to the unit, and by your conscience as honorable warriors, to disobey ILLEGAL orders.

You are correct if you think it is not your duty or privilege to set policy either for the United States government, the U.S. military, or the G.I. Joe team.

But you are required, if you have ANY doubts, to request clarification of any order you have doubts about.

If you receive an order, ask yourself if it sounds like something that would come from Joe headquarters or from Cobra command.

If you have any doubt, request clarification of the order to make sure you understood it correctly.

Good leaders never criticize their troops for requesting clarification; it shows the troops are conscientious in the performance of their duties, and desire to avoid any mistakes that might harm the unit, the mission, or the United States.

Good leaders never hesitate to provide clarity to a command, both for the mission’s sake and their own sake.

We have briefings on the importance of clarity in issuing orders, and you will remember from our last training session the point brought up about the disastrous charge of the Light Brigade in 1854. A messenger relayed a vague order to “attack those guns immediately.” When asked WHICH guns the order referred to, the messenger made an ambiguous gesture that resulted in the Light Brigade charging headlong into massed artillery, resulting in over 60% of the Light Brigade being killed, injured, or captured.

I know from personal first-hand experience that you are good soldiers, brave and reliable, willing to face overwhelming odds to do you duty to your country and your unit. I consider it an honor to have been placed in command of the G.I. Joe team, and I know you will stand by your oaths in the days and years to come.

Yo, Joe!General Hawk