Egyptian infantry replaced individual valor with drill-based unitary action

Evidence

Ibrahim’s army was a complete contrast to all of this. Instead of relying on cavalry, there was a nearly total reliance on infantry. The successful execution of the battle drew mainly on training drills that the soldiers had been exercising literally for years prior to the battle. Personal strength, courage and valor, were supplanted by strict discipline, blind obedience to superiors and literal implementation of orders. Instead of individual initiative, hierarchical subordination became the norm. Instinctive reactions had been replaced by strict implementation of a plan that had been previously laid down and meticulously rehearsed. In short, the army started to fight as a unit with the soldiers all acting in unison, following commands, orders and signals. — Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed Ali, his…, 648

Categorization

• XREF: Directly answers the reader’s stated question about the nature of the modern Egyptian army’s discipline and performance.