Moral ascendancy is the influence one individual or group of individuals may hold over others through his perceived morals and character. [1] In law and order, commanding officers require this moral force to be able to exert control over those they lead. [1] In military situations, this moral ascendancy can extend to "I am the better army...I dominate you by my morale, training, capability". [2] Militarily moral ascendancy then is something to be gained and retained to achieve supremacy against the enemy. [3] According to the French army officer Du piq, "Moral force is the trump card for any military event because as events change the human elements of war remain unchanged".[ citation needed]