Quote Originally Posted by antisocialmunky View Post
Well you see it in movies where the NCO will run into battle and the rest of the guys have to go with him. Now whether or not it occurs in real life or is told in story, its something fundamental to the way male group dynamics works where humans and even intelligent animals in patriarchical positions will lead by example where there is an implied expectation than that individual's model of behavior is how you should behave. Though I don't doubt there are a multitude of other possible answers such as peer pressure and a value-cost trade off or something.
All that granted. Which is why I find it interesting when, instead of all the guys running into battle with him, they just kind of watch as he gets hacked to pieces by the enemy.

I think this is less of a case of leading men to battle than of suicidal heroism meant to inspire men to bravery. Or maybe its really brave individuals just showing off (after having a bit too much wine). Or perhaps its just from misunderstood orders (like the charge of the light brigade in the 19th century), that gets reinterpreted as the guy who misunderstood the orders being really brave. I don't know what inspires acts of suicidal bravery, like a lone horseman charge, and that's what makes it interesting.