CHAPTER 12

Discipline Equals Freedom—The Dichotomy of Leadership

Jocko Willink

BAGHDAD, IRAQ: THE DISCIPLINE TRANSFORMATION
“Target secure,” came the call over our SEAL platoon’s intersquad radio.
We had just blown in the front door of the target building with a large
explosive charge, and our SEAL assaulters systematically cleared
through every room, eliminating threats and making sure we were in
total control of the entire structure. Now it was time to determine who
we had killed or captured and gather intelligence.
I was a SEAL platoon commander on my first deployment to Iraq.
The bulk of our operations consisted of what we called direct-action
“capture/kill” missions or targeted raids. For these operations, we
operated almost exclusively at night.
The missions usually unfolded in a similar, somewhat predictable
manner. Based on intelligence either from our higher headquarters or
garnered from previous operations, we determined the location of a
terrorist (or terrorists). Our SEAL platoon would then plan and execute
an assault on the target building—a home, place of work, or safe house
—in order to capture the terrorists and gather intelligence. Entering a