--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The worst excuse a soldier can make for…" description: "\"“The worst excuse a soldier can make for declining service is that he once ranked the commander he is ordered to report to.”\" — Ulysses S. Grant" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d71/ulysses-s-grant-1793_peace_the-worst-excuse-a-soldier-can-make-for_424265.jpg" --- # The worst excuse a soldier can make for declining service… ![“The worst excuse a soldier can make for declining service is that he once ranked the commander he is ordered to report to.” quote by Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d71/ulysses-s-grant-1793_peace_the-worst-excuse-a-soldier-can-make-for_424265.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d71/ulysses-s-grant-1793_peace_the-worst-excuse-a-soldier-can-make-for_424265.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d71/ulysses-s-grant-1793_peace_the-worst-excuse-a-soldier-can-make-for_424265.jpg) > ““The worst excuse a soldier can make for declining service is that he once ranked the commander he is ordered to report to.”” [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A soldier should not refuse duty because he dislikes his superior; duty outweighs personal feelings. **In simple terms:** Don't quit because you dislike your boss. Key Takeaway Serve despite personal grievances. Themes duty military leadership Mood serious reflective Type ethical military When to use this quote - combat deployment - military training - chain of command - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts hierarchy obedience personal conflict Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance respect for authority with personal integrity? - When is it acceptable to refuse an order? A Different Perspective May undermine morale if forced compliance breeds resentment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Commander Ordered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commander-ordered-3754862/) [Excuse Soldier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excuse-soldier-3754861/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Ranked Commander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ranked-commander-3754863/) [Soldier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soldier/) [Worst Excuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst-excuse-3254091/) ## Related quotes > [There's no doubt in my mind that whichever commander ordered the blowing up of Kamisiyah did so in following the instructions that he had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-schwarzkopf/there-s-no-doubt-in-my-mind-that-whichever-commander-ordered-the/) [Norman Schwarzkopf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-schwarzkopf/) > [Peer pressure, worst excuse I've ever heard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/peer-pressure-worst-excuse-i-ve-ever-heard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [People who say it takes money to make money are using the worst excuse ever. . . 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