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Stalag 17- JJ Shefton

Overview

JJ Shefton is the main character that stars in the film Stalag 17. A loner and cynic by nature, Shefton learns early that to survive in the barracks of Stalag 17, he must be sly, erratic and at times corrupt to swindle the system. For this reason Shefton attempts to gain influence and power early by acquiring riches and luxuries along the way so that he can later offer these items and services for sale to other inmates. He is enjoying this more comfortable lifestyle in Stalag 17 until two inmates, Manfredi and Johnson, are killed during their attempt to escape. Since Shefton is the one that made a bet that they wouldn't make it out of the prison camp, he is automatically accused and found guilty of being the informant of Barracks 4. It is at this point that Shefton begins a journey to clear his name and along the way undergoes a transformation from anti hero to hero.

Character Analysis

The first half of the film Stalag 17, depicts a strong, carefree and passive JJ Shefton. With a suitcase full of possessions to include wine, stockings, clocks, cards, cigarettes and cigars, Shefton lives the high life in Barracks 4. As such Shefton is known in Stalag 17, as one of the wealthiest individuals in the entire camp.

Shefton's fame extends from his ability to offer card games, horse 'rat' races, a distillery, and even a telescope for viewing the women's barracks. For this reason soldiers in his barracks and across Stalag 17 would pay Shefton fees to enjoy a few of these luxuries. If these services weren't enough Shefton also had the ability to offer items for sale from his suitcase.

To maintain his influence and power Shefton also extends his trading with the German soldiers. This is seen at the beginning of the film when he explains to Animal and Shapiro, his barracks mates, that his single egg breakfast cost him 45 cigarettes.

If it wasn't enough to have all these riches, Shefton is also viewed as one of the only prisoners to have a devoted aide, Cookie. Cookie is seen maintaining Shefton's suitcase, handing him items as he requests and serves as his confidant.

No constraints seem to follow Shefton's character until later in the film when Lt Dunbar arrives to Barracks 4. Upon their introductions Shefton reminds Dunbar that this isn't the first time they are meeting and recalls their experience together in Officer School. Shefton mocks Dunbar suggesting that it was his wealth that allowed him to graduate. Since Shefton did not have the same circumstances, he got washed out. He then cautions Dunbar that neither his money or family will be able to help him in Statag 17 and that survival is principally based on your own instincts.

At this point in the film, Barracks 4 still has their suspicions that there is an informant among them. After all how else would the German soldiers have known about the previous escape plan of their other barracks mates? More evidence accrues that there is an informant when the radio is confiscated from Barracks 4 and Shefton is nowhere to be found. When it is realized that he is in the women's barracks the rest of Barracks 4 becomes convinced that he must of earned that reward for providing the information about the radio to the German soldiers.

Tension builds even more when Dunbar is taken by Col Von Scherbach for the accusation of blowing up a munitions train. Bagradian tells Barracks 4 that no information revealing that Dunbar took part in blowing up the train was given out until arriving at Stalag 17.

From this point on Shefton's once powerful stance and influence in Stalag 17 is defaced and compromised. The entire Barracks 4 goes from accusing him publicly that he is the Informant to all of them taking turns beating him up. If that isn't enough they start taking their picks of Shefton's suitcase of goodies and even give away his possessions to benefit the rest of them. An example of this is when Barracks 4 trades Shefton's distillery to Barracks 1 for their phonograph without even asking him first.

At this time Shefton's character decides to take a stance to clear his name and find out who the true culprit is.

Elements of Leadership

Throughout the film Shefton's character undergoes several leadership transformations. During the first half of film when he is wealthy, Shefton displays elements such resiliency, courage, mental agility, and the ability to be an active listener. Of course these traits are a result of trying to prosper and maintain influence in Stalag 17.

For example Shefton deliberately takes out his telescope to view the women's barracks after the Red Cross delivers items to the Prisoners of War (POW) in Stalag 17. This way he can guarantee a type of payment from the inmates to use his resources. It is actions like these that give Shefton a reputation of being a conman and untrustworthy.

Shefton also delineates from your typical leadership style for his lack of positivity. Shefton by nature is a realist. In this manner he does not try to empower any of the other POWs. Instead he warns them of the crude reality of their environment and situation living in Stalag 17 the way he did with Dunbar.

In this effect Shefton's character displays what Army FM 6-22 defines as a counterproductive leadership style which includes categories such as self-serving, corruption, and being erratic; this is more commonly seen in high stress and operating conditions.

In spite of Shefton's negative leadership attributes, his perseverance demonstrated throughout the film is what enables Shefton to succeed. He demonstrates this by first overcoming his dire situation in Stalag 17 to become wealthy, acquire resources, and power.

He then applies this perseverance to overcome the beatings, robberies and insults of Barracks 4 when they believe he is the Nazi Informant. Shefton does not even report this mistreatment to the Geneva Convention man when given the opportunity. Instead he uses these setbacks as motivation to find out and reveal the real Informant to Barracks 4.

Role in leading in an Environment of Change

Shefton, known as the anti hero in Stalag 17, undergoes what can be described as the Wallenburg Effect when he hits rock bottom. Kunich defines this theory as a notion of self discovery, becoming a mature leader and learning who you are and what you stand for.

Shefton could accept a lot of things in Stalag 17 including his reputation for being a cynic, greedy and self centered but what he could not accept was being seen as a snitch.

Even though none of the inmates in the other barracks like him, Hoffy confirming this information when he tried to trade him to another barracks and no one wanted him, Shefton cannot stand for someone ratting out his fellow POW.

He starts to compile a plan to find out the truth. His first attempt is to bribe Nazi Sergeant Shultz. He offers him stockings and over 200 cigarettes to tell him who the Informant is but has no success. Shultz denies any existence of an Informant in Barracks 4 and walks away.

Shefton then starts paying closer attention to the actions and behaviors of the POW in Barracks 4. He never stops warning them that the real Informant could be any one of them and that he was not the snitch they made him out to be. While recovering from his injuries after the barracks beating he sees the shadow of the light bulb swinging back and forth during the Christmas celebrations.

At first this shadow means nothing but Shefton becomes suspicious and takes a closer look. This leads him to glance at items around the light bulb like the chess board. Instead of viewing the chess pieces through a tactical logic lens, Shefton uses design theory to try to understand what phenomenon's and meta processes exist above the chessboard. Zweilbelson describes this as using holistic viewpoint that "can lead staff to overcome skill disadvantages to transform the system to a future state more advantageous to the organization."

After this scene there is an air raid in Stalag 17 and all POW including those in Barracks 4 are forced to go outside. Shefton takes this opportunity to stay behind in the shadows of Barracks 4 and observe the actions of Sergeant Shultz. Sure enough his instincts are correct and he sees Shultz conversing opening in German with fellow POW Price. Shefton sees both make reference to the queen chess piece, Shultz complaining that there was no message left inside. Price then shows Shultz how Dunbar was able to use a pack of matches to detonate the munitions train, evidence that Col Von Scherbach had requested to prosecute Dunbar.

At this point Shefton remains silent about the information he has learned but starts to gather a plan on how he will reveal and disassemble Price's perfect Security Guard image.

Critical thinking and Decision Making Skills

Throughout the majority of the film, Shefton is shown to have decision making skills that are based on his first week's experience in Stalag 17. He recalls " The first week I was in this joint, somebody stole my Red Cross package, my blanket, and my left shoe. Well, since then I've wised up. This ain't no Salvation Army - this is everybody for himself, dog eat dog."

Wising up meant seeking and evaluating all other options, problem solving, and using his intuition. For instance to create a more accommodating experience in Stalag 17 Shefton had to consider collaborating with the Nazis. He states, "if it takes trading with the enemy to be more comfortable then I am going to do it."

We see Shefton's critical thinking skills when he is the first to propose that the Informant in Barracks 4 could be a German. This proposal bewilders Cookie until Shefton explains "there's lots of loose information floating around. How radar operates, where we are stationed, escape plans." Until then the others had only concluded that the Informant among them was just another ordinary POW looking to reap a few benefits within the Nazi prison camp.

Shefton's best critical thinking example comes from the one on one confrontation he has with Price during operation save Dunbar. After Col Von Scherbach receives the evidence needed to convict Dunbar, word gets back to Barracks 4 that the SS are on their way to collect him.

Barracks 4 then, along with the other barracks in Stalag 17, devise a plan to rescue Dunbar. They settle on using the smoke bombs they created from the ping pong balls received as a diversion to grab Dunbar from the SS before he is taken away. While everyone is getting their assignments for the escape plan, Price suggests that he go talk to Shultz to keep him distracted. Barracks 4 agrees until Shefton draws their attention to an even bigger concern. He states, "I wouldn't worry about Shultz, I'd worry about Shefton," in an effort to remind them that he is still presumed to be the Informant. "Do you know what the Krauts would pay for information like this? "

It is only then that Barracks 4 determines that they need to keep an eye out for Shefton before their plan to free Dunbar is divulged. At that point Shefton suggests that he get a guard to watch him and not just anyone; someone tough and strong like Security Officer Price. Price at first protests but inevitably gets assigned to guard Shefton in the barracks.

Once they are alone Shefton takes the opportunity to probe Price for questions as a way of getting a deeper understanding of his persona. He uses the cover story of trying to make at least one friend in Stalag 17 for all his questions. By doing this Shefton confirms that Price claims to be from Cleveland.

Shefton stores this information and contemplates how he will use it against Price at a future date.

Ethical Dimension in the Operating Environment

Once Shefton confirms that Price is the Nazi Informant he is left in an ethical and moral dimension of how to approach the situation.

He considers all aspects and how all parties involved from the Nazis, to the POWs in Barracks 4 and the rest of the POWs in Stalag 17 could be effected. From one aspect he wants to denounce Price as the true informant to clear his name but the approach would have to be carefully evaluated so as not to hurt or cause any further setbacks to the POW.

Shefton is also pressured by the time aspect since he knows that as long as Price remains in Barracks 4 he will continue to disclose secrets, plots and any other valuable information the barracks may have to the Nazis. He turns to Cookie and states, "What do you do with him? Tip him and he could move to another barracks. Or the Germans could kill the whole barracks. " Cookie, not knowing the complexity of the situation suggests that Shefton provide the Informant information directly to Hoffy, the Barracks leader or Security Office Price. Shefton snears at his suggestions.

To add to this ethical and moral dimension, Shefton knows that his word against the word of Price would not be enough to convince Barracks 4 that he is innocent. After all Shefton is not known for his integrity, compassion or generosity. Shefton would have to do more than throw out an accusation; he would have to have hard evidence to show everyone that he was telling the truth about Price.

The other tier to this ethical and moral dimension is that although Shefton is betrayed, defamed and physically attacked by the inmates in Barracks 4, he still feels the need to protect them against the Nazis. Despite these confrontations, Shefton realizes that it is his ethical responsibility as a soldier to defend and shield his comrades from harm. At this point he understands that the best way to do this is by exposing the true Nazi Informant and then together as a group determine the punishment for that traitor. It seems that along the way to clear his name Shefton's warrior ethos grows and he fearlessly prepares to confront Price.

Lessons Learned

The biggest lesson taken from Shefton in the film Stalog 17 is what Frankl summarizes as "forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation."

Shefton was left empty handed. His possessions were stolen or broken resulting in the loss of his high position in Stalag 17. He was beaten and automatically assumed to be the Informant in Barracks 4 because of his gambling businesses; never given a fair or equal chance to clear his name.

Shefton lost all respect from Barracks 4 and the rest of the POWs in Stalag 17 due to the false assumptions and rumors that spread about him. Even Cookie turned his back on him. In spite of these disadvantages Shefton did not give up and fought hard to find out the truth about the Nazi Informant to be able to clear his name.

In the end he was not afraid to put everything on the line, even when Barracks 4 threatened to slit his throat the next time he was to provide information to the Nazis. Without hesitation he pulled out a knife himself and told the others to make sure they used it on the right guy.

He then walks up to Hoffy and tells him that he just released the location of Dunbar to the Germans, details Hoffy worked so hard to keep a secret to himself. Hoffy doesn't follow and asks, "Are you off your rocker?"

At this point Shefton takes center stage around the POW in Barracks 4 and begins to tell him a story. He walks up to Price and asks if he speaks German. Price denies the accusation and tells him to back off so he can fulfill his assignment to break out Dunbar from Stalag 17. Shefton that asks if he plans to go to the Commandant's Office first. At this Price yells back "I'll kill you."

Shefton not backing down asks "Security Officer huh? Always screens everybody but who screens you?" Shefton begins to question Price about Pearl Harbor. "What time was Pearl Harbor?" he demands. Price yells back "6pm. I was having dinner."

This is key moment Shefton has been waiting for. Remembering how Price claimed to be from Cleveland he affirms, "6pm in Berlin. They were having lunch in Cleveland." These words resonant in the ears of Barracks 4. Their glares and aggressiveness turn immediately from Shefton to Price.

Shefton continues his accusation claiming that Price could have been in Cleveland but at the breakout of the war went back to the Motherland and became a Nazi spy and Informant. Further evidence is shown of Price's deceit when Shefton shows Barracks 4 how messages between Schultz and Price were sent via postal mail. Picking up and opening the hallow queen chess piece, Shefton shows how messages were placed inside and how the lightbulb above the chessboard was used as a signal that a new message was received. The final check mate move is made when Shefton reveals how Price had several hallow queen chess pieces in his pocket and his bunk.

Finally having convinced Barracks 4 of his innocence, Shefton suggests that they use Price as a decoy to raise the chances of breaking Dunbar out of the Stalag 17. Together, Barracks 4 decides to throw Price outside making lots of noise giving Shefton enough time to find Dunbar. With the Nazis focused on gunning down Price in the open Shefton and Dunbar could break out of Stalag 17.

In conclusion, Shefton did not have any resentment against the POWs that wronged him. He maintained his composure and did not even turn anyone in for the damage and beatings he suffered. Instead his approach was logical and carefully sought out. It wasn't enough to just clear his name but he had to find the best way to be rid of the Nazi Informant without tipping off the Nazis all while maintaining the safety and security of the POWs in Stalag 17.

In the end Shefton's efforts pay off. It is a hard lesson learned for the members of Barracks 4 since they realize how some of their most trusted allies in Stalag 17 could be their enemy. They also had to recognize that they shouldn't jump to conclusions or make assumptions about anyone in the barracks without having more evidence or information first. For this mistake they apologized to Shefton.

For Shefton the lesson learned was to not give up or hold any grudges. Shefton knew the bigger part of the mission was to reveal and denounce the Nazi Informant that had been part of the execution of Manfredi and Johnson and now was about to help the Germans find and kill Lt Dunbar. Shefton knew that Price would continue to exploit his position within Barracks 4 if he didn't try to stop him. If that meant getting beaten up along the way to uncover the truth Shefton didn't care.

In the end applying this lesson Shefton was not only able to protect the POWs of Stalag 17 from revealing more critical information to the Nazi informant but he also found a way to get rid of Price and escape with Dunbar all at the same time. For Shefton's assistance to bring down the traitor Barracks 4 equips him with all the necessary tools to escape and wish him well.