I posted this on a forum and I was kinda chuffed with it so I thought I would post it here too.
I see the Master/sub relationship a bit like being the army. You sign on for a pre-agreed period but during the first few months there is an option to leave if you find you are not suited to it. You swear your allegiance. After that you can be asked to leave but you cannot just decide to walk out because you are fed up with it. You can petition to leave and begin a long process to see if it is in the best interest of all concerned for you to do so.
You are trained to know and understand what is expected of you to the point where you are able to act, under your own initiative when necessary but you never go against the orders of your commanding officer. You always treat your commanding officer with the respect due to his rank. Even when not in uniform you are still in the army, still a soldier and expected to behave in such a way as not to bring the army into disrepute.
You address the commanding officer using Sir or his rank but never assume you can be on first name terms with him.
You do not refuse to act on an order given by your commanding officer. The decision to take part in exercises or actions belongs to the commanding officer and if you really don't feel like doing it then tough, its not your decision. If you are unwell or unfit for duty then that is presented to the commanding officer or medical officer and they determine if they feel you are fit for duty or not.
You fight side by side as part of a team but always knowing that there is a line you do not cross in the way you interact with the one in command. If you step out of line you accept you will be put on a charge.
You are not weak and helpless just because you follow orders. An army needs to be strong and that cannot be achieved if the soldiers are not strong and disciplined.
You are no less of a person for being of a lower rank but you accept that a chain of command exists, you know your place in that chain and you obediently follow the disciplines expected of you to maintain it.
© Michelle 2007
