BOOK REVIEW: The Art of War BY SUN TZU
One of the key takeaways from "The Art of War" is the importance of preparation. Sun Tzu emphasizes the need to know your enemy and yourself to win any battle. He also stresses the importance of careful planning and the use of deception to gain an advantage over your opponent. For Sun Tzu, the goal of warfare is not simply to defeat your enemy but to do so with the least amount of bloodshed and cost. Just like in being a cadet, we always need to be prepared in our everyday activities, plan and have Foresight. A quote that relates to our life as cadets is, "The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle." Being ready for any challenge is necessary for cadetship training.
Another important lesson from the book is the idea of flexibility. Sun Tzu argues that the best generals are those who can adapt to changing circumstances and who are able to improvise when necessary. He advises his readers to be like water, which can take any shape or form and flow around any obstacle. This kind of flexibility is essential for success both on the battlefield and in other areas of life. Flexibility is a skill that we must possess if we wish to become snappy cadets. Being able to achieve any task given to you and being able to adjust to any situation is the ability that we must all aspire to have.
One of the most striking things about "The Art of War" is its timeless relevance. Although the book was written over 2,500 years ago, its principles still hold true today. Many successful business leaders, politicians, and military strategists have cited the book as a major influence on their thinking. "The Art of War" is a must-read for anyone interested in strategy and tactics. The book is filled with valuable insights and practical advice that can be applied in various contexts. It is a classic for a good reason, and its enduring popularity is a testament to the unyielding relevance of Sun Tzu's teachings.
As a cadet, I am training to become a future leader in the PNP. One of the critical skills I need to master is the art of strategy and tactics. And there is no better place to start than studying "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu. Its lessons can be applied to many aspects of modern police officer training. These are the few ways "The Art of War" affected my cadetship training: Understanding myself, Foresight and preparedness, flexibility and adaptability.
[1]"The Art of War" by Sun Tzu is a timeless classic that offers valuable insights into military strategy and tactics. The book is divided into 13 chapters, each dealing with a different aspect of warfare. Although it was written over 2,000 years ago, the lessons in this book remain relevant to this day and can be applied in warfare and business, politics, and cadetship life.