Loyalty is the soul of character, the essence of spirit, the secret of achievement, and the elixir from which success and happiness are brewed.
One may be loyal to country, to his commander, to his ship, to his division, to himself, to a person, to an ideal, and if he is loyal to any one of these things, he is inherently loyal to the others.
Loyalty is greater than patriotism, for it contains patriotism, it is greater than religion, pride, honor, glory, ambition, courage, or ability, for it is the force of this driving determinant which crystallizes and creates these things.
It is greater than knowledge, for education must be properly directed to be useful. It is greater than love, since it is the thread from which that is woven. It is greater than friendship, as loyalty requires that friendship may not be broken without a hearing.
Loyalty is a requiring mistress. It requires that one fail not in performing the humble chores of daily routine; that one face the enemy and attack with might in battle; and that one’s fondest theories be willingly subordinated to those of his superior in command. It should be faithful, intelligent, unswerving, undying, perpetual.
When loyalty is given, the energy to do the task pours forth. The decisions are correct, the mistakes are removed; the action is anticipated; the plans fit and weld together as molten iron, and the program goes forward with the rush of a torrent.
Whatever attributes we may possess, to our masters—be they mental, moral, or physical—and to our friends, we need offer but one quality: and our subordinates—we can only ask that they—be loyal.