Colonel Shaw's Leadership In The Film Glory

1. Colonel Robert Shaw is introduced to us in the opening of Glory as a Captain in the Battle of Antietam where he is wounded and returns home to Boston. While at home, he receives the offer of a promotion to Colonel with the stipulation being he would be in command of the 54th Infantry, a Battalion comprised entirely of the first fully African American Battalion in the Civil War. Throughout the film we see Colonel Shaw’s leadership styles change to meet the needs of his soldiers and tailored to the situation they find themselves in.

a. Initially, we see Colonel Shaw displaying a by-the-books type of leadership. He separates himself from the soldiers and even advises his childhood friend that he “Must use the proper chain of command if he

Upon issuance of their rifles, the soldiers act unprofessional and use time at the range to brag and show off their shooting abilities. Colonel Shaw sees this and implements external stress to display to a private, and entire group of soldiers, that even a task someone is talented with becomes much more difficult with added pressure. The soldier who could shoot incredibly well was unable to even load the weapon with added pressure on him in the form of Colonel Shaw yelling in his ear and firing a weapon over his shoulder. Colonel Shaw does this to simulate the pressure these soldiers will be under on the battlefield. He goes further to make his point by saying that “a well-trained soldier can load and fire three rounds in under one minute.” (a). He is setting the standard for what these soldiers will be held to. Colonel Shaw was successful in what he was portraying to his soldiers of the effects stress has upon a soldier, especially in

The 54th can push through racial prejudice, bad attitudes, and poor leadership due to their eyes set on the end goal of having the opportunity to fight against the confederacy. This desire to fight gives each of them purpose and being part of something bigger. Despite their personal arguments and struggles, they were there for similar reasons, using each other as inspiration to push through adversity. Before going into the Battle of Fort Wagner, the soldiers begin a prayer chant where Private Trip is brought up to say what is on his mind. He talks about how “[he] loves the 54th, [and] they’re the only family he’s got.” (a). This shows the bond that has been formed between the soldiers who have grown closer together through the adversities they faced along the way. I see similarities between the 54th and ALFA Company progressing as a team. The hardships we, as a Company, have faced thus far have brought us together in a similar way of bonding through misery. We push each other and know we can rely on one another, strengthening that bond. As we spend more time with our shipmates, we begin to share about our past and future goals building connections on a personal level. Finally, we are all here together away from family and friends creating that same feeling Private Trip references with his fellow soldiers being his family. ALFA Company is a family for the next seventeen weeks, and this alone brings us