To appreciate the importance of the principles of the law of armed conflict (LOAC), judge advocates (JAs) must consider their historical endurance. The law of armed conflict has long roots, some buried so deep they have been largely forgotten. Yet these lesser-known precursors also played a crucial role in LOAC development. One forgotten pioneer hailed from a fourteenth-century French monastery, where he struggled to promote the LOAC principles of honor, humanity, and distinction.

Common experience tells us that most people endure challenges and failures. With each challenge and failure, we have the opportunity to decide how that experience will shape us. Within this general context, we consider how to hone our ability to face challenges and how we can develop resilience that helps us endure and grow despite the ever-present risk of failure.