He played football, but his career was cut short because of his rough play. He received a broken nose and two broken arms. After graduating from West Point Patton was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the 15th cavalry Regiment. These accomplishments early in life gave him the personality traits of self-confidence and the motive of drive and achievement. (2) (3).
At the age of twenty six, General Patton competed in the Olympics at Stockholm in the first modern pentathlon. The pentathlon consisted of shooting, swimming, cross-country running, horse back riding, and sword fencing. General Patton finished 5th in the event, however, he would have finished higher if it were not for his choice of weaponry during the shooting portion of the event. While most chose the .22 revolvers, Patton chose the .38. His gun left such large holes in the target that the last bullet he shot went through a previous hole, but it was ruled a missed shot. After the Olympics, Patton trained at the French Cavalry School where he studied sword drills. He went on to Fort Riley, Kansas to become the first Master of the Sword. Patton then went on to run cavalry border patrols in Mexico for General Pershing. Patton did such a good job he was promoted to Captain, this gave him the trait of trustworthiness and the motive of a strong work ethic. (2) (3).
General Patton went on to organize the American Tank School in Bourg, France. During battles, Patton would always be in the front line communicating with his troops in the rear by means of pigeons and runners. He was always exposed to gun fire and was shot in the leg while commanding his tanks. His actions during battle later earned him the Distinguished Service Cross for Heroism. After World War I, Patton graduated from the Command and General Staff School In 1924, and completed his military schooling as a graduate of the Army War College in 1932. General Patton was not also a leader but also a student.