Army Quote by John Paul Jones
“I must repeat what I asserted formerly, that unless some happy expedient can be fallen upon to induce the seamen to enter into the service for a longer term than twelve months, it will never be possible to bring them under proper subordination; and subordination is as necessary, nay, far more so in the fleet than in the army.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Naval correspondence, 1779
Long-term enlistment is essential for effective naval discipline, more so than in the army.
In simple terms: Naval service needs longer contracts for good order.
Key Takeaway
Secure longer enlistments.
Themes
discipline
navy
military organization
Mood
pragmatic
serious
Type
historical
military
When to use this quote
- recruiting
- fleet management
- policy planning
Key Concepts
contract length
leadership
military structure
Questions to Reflect On
- How can incentives improve enlistment length?
- What alternatives exist to forced subordination?
A Different Perspective
Short contracts may deter enlistment.
![“November 1775, when our Founding Fathers “. . .resolved, that two Battalions of Marines be raised. . .[and]. . .that particular care be taken that no person be appointed or enlisted into said Battalions, but such as are good seamen or so acquainted with maritime affairs as are able to serve to…” quote by Tom Clancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/520/tom-clancy-1751_founding-fathers_november-1775-when-our-founding-fathers_3156036.jpg)
![“I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm very clear. I voted for the change that put the Army Field Manual in place as a member of Congress. I understand that law very, very quickly and am also deeply aware…” quote by James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/james-mattis-9515_army_i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-th_3990.jpg)
