Overall, he led his platoon very well and successfully. In a military context, Platoon Leader: A Memoir of Command in Combat provides an in-depth, detailed look at one young officer's rise through the ranks, learning the basic tools of leadership along the way. It McDonough's retelling of his time in Vietnam. From acknowledging that at his age there was much to learn, to realizing the differences in his team, McChrystal possessed many of the traits of a disciplined mind. Transportation officers are experts in the systems, vehicles and . Summaries A young officer, just out of West Point is sent to Vietnam, where the men don't respect him until he gets wounded and returns to be a wiser soldier and a better commander West Point graduate lieutenant Jeff Knight meets cynicism when taking command of sergeant Michael McNamara's tour veterans platoon in a Vietnamese trench camp. I hope to never be in this situation; there is a great risk for mismanagement or fault when the leader is not properly educated or prepared for the situation ahead. The book Outlaw Platoon written by Sean Parnell is a soldiers' tale of his platoon in one of the most dangerous places on earth. Roach brings a baby from one of the destroyed huts and explains the VC were after the villagers not the soldiers. He does not hold back from sharing his mistakes, and tells stories of real experiences in a compelling way. A portrait of the platoon commander I should be and desire to be, James McDonough's gritty and honest recollection of his Platoon Leader tour has inspired me to hone my own skills, reexamine my heart with brutal honesty, and reflect consistently on my intentions, outcomes and mistakes (that should not be repeated). New small unit leaders will find it extraordinarily compelling and relevant. . (3) The platoon leader positions key weapons to cover the most dangerous avenues of approach. Highly recommend for people in leadership positions, whether it be. Perhaps one of the least original books every written; even the Goodreads catalog includes at least a dozen platoon leader memoirs from Vietnam. SFC Colvin always exhibited the utmost military bearing and appearance and felt we should too. I will revisit the book again later. It is an eye-opening description of the reality of combat and its devastating impact on the participants. Combat leadership at the tactical level, such as in LHY, is a distinctly important and honorable responsibility. Having noted his aspirations for the team, Coach Ks players worked hard and followed his commands. This essay was written by a fellow student. [Internet]. Rifle Platoon and Rifle Squad Leader ; Army Study Guide: Infantry Platoon Tactical Standard Operating Procedure ; Resources. Rather than describe each, he chose three men who embodied extremes of soldier behavior. database? "Platoon Leader: A Memoir of Command in Combat : Review." Platoon Leader was released on October 1, 1988 and made $1.349 million in the United States. This work feels more genuine and relatable than many other better-known classics in the genre. Because they occasionally require it to relieve their stress from the . Platoon Leader May 2015Present US Army Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA - Led an artillery platoon consisting of 35 soldiers - Ensured compliance with annual and quarterly maintenance schedule Fire Direction Officer Apr 2014May 2015 US Army Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA - Led a Fire Direction Center consisting of 10 soldiers Start by marking Platoon Leader: A Memoir of Command in Combat as Want to Read: Error rating book. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. For the author's honesty and literary craftsmanship, Platoon Leader seems destined to be read for a long time by second lieutenants trying to prepare for the future, veterans trying to remember. that could adapt to changes and change his leadership styles as need be. While any organization I lead will not have the hard, broken-down discipline of a military force, McDonough's struggles as a leader parallel my own at times - the uncertainty, the self-doubt, all are present in a new leader. Opinions expressed by DZone contributors are their own. If anyone can read this book and not feel utter gratefulness for our vets especially our combat vets and especially our Vietnam War combat vets well then that person would be truly blind. This book provides me with an incredible perspective on the leadership process; the platoon as a microcosm for leadership as a whole is very interesting to me. In my point of view, his style belongs to the empowering one. It then traced his entire tour up to the final battle in which he lost the village he was told to defend at all costs. He has set goals for a demoralized group of men, has aided each one of them to brave in realizing these goals, and ensuring that each of his men savor the success of these goals. The fools, the uneducated, the knaves? Finally, a sense of loyalty and camaraderie must be established within the group if cooperation is going to be made as smooth as it can be. Never forget the sacrifices made so that we can live as we do. Or you can rent or purchase the film right now on Amazon Prime. It closely resembled Fields of Fire by James Webb. Alas, Lt. McDonough talked them into going. [Accessed January 18, 2023]. Monitored the workshop work flow for 60 employees. The unforgiving minute summary. ISBN: 1728732247 ISBN13: 9781728732244 The Devil to Pay (Shayne Davies) (Book #1 in the Shayne Davies Series) by James R. McDonough See Customer Reviews Select Format Hardcover $11.39 - $11.99 Paperback $7.29 Mass Market Paperback $4.39 - $4.59 Select Condition Like New Unavailable Very Good Unavailable Good $4.59 Acceptable $4.39 New Unavailable The smallest unit is called a fire team and consists of 4 soldiers. For good or ill, McDonough recognized that the burden of authority was on him for everything his soldiers did. It was reflected in moments of irony and humor an indication of the need to be resilient. Col. James McDonough, USA (Ret. A Treasury of Royal Scandals is a national bestseller book written by Michael Farquhar that describes The Shocking True Stories of Historys Wickedest, Weirdest, Most Wanton Kings, Queens, Tsars, Popes,. I recognized that, like me, all leaders struggle to find their feet; in this way, I could recognize just how important it was to maintain order, decorum and calm. Indeed, in both wartime and peacetime, an army commander watches over the lives of those under his charge, hence it is our immense but honourable responsibility to be competent and caring for our men. Even when they act without orders from you, you are held accountable for those actions. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. Many men under his command were killed or seriously wounded, but in the paradox of war, it is likely that even fewer would have survived if McDonough had tried to avoid combat. Tuesday, May 15, 2018. From the looks of it as he enters the platoon, there are two main groups; one cynical and toughened that are below Sergeant Barnes, and a hopeful idealistic group below Sergeant Elias. In the article published by thoughtleadersllc.com written by Kevin Murray states The task of a leader is to inspire others to achieve great results. Col. McDonough, thank you. February 4th 2003 Be the first to contribute. platoon leader sparknotes Platoon Leader again determines if the Platoon can gain suppressive fire over enemy. Good platoon leaders must enforce Army standards for readiness and cleanliness consistently and equitably to maintain discipline and respect and hold troops accountable. I read "Platoon Leader" by James McDonough because it was a first hand account of a rookie leader in the Vietnam war. Expect bullets to hit three enemies at once, and single grenades to explode multiple times and in different locations." Knight is airlifted back to his platoon's outpost but is not greeted by his men and finds his gear missing from his quarters, as they did not expect him to return. The greatest leadership trait is humility, and it shows in this memoir. These principles have left me with a very strong impression of the things I need to do as a leader, and as a human being. He then says that he's starting to understand the meaning of this war and lets McNamara rest. Summary of Red Platoon by Clinton Romesha | Includes Analysis Preview: Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor by Clinton Romesha is a memoir of the October 2009 Battle of Kamdesh, in which hundreds of Taliban insurgents attacked Keating, the most remote American combat outpost in Afghanistan. Knight's platoon arrives at the village and kill off the VC company. A world without rules, mercy and pure ruthless reality. Without personal experience of combat to judge against, I found this to be an authentic description of life in combat. Outlaw Platoon Sparknotes. When they realize Knight has returned, the soldiers rush to return his property outside his office before he comes back out. The writing is as riveting as Ernst Juengers and its lessons just as valuable for any combat leader, especially young lieutenants. After the battle, Knight visits McNamara and sees he's okay. Order custom essay Book Review on Platoon Leader: A Memoir of Command in Combat The greatest leadership trait is humility, and it shows in this memoir. Accessed January 18, 2023. This book is excellent: The author brought me along with him to the LZ's (landing zones) in the Viet Nam war. James McDonough taught me about myself in this book at least as much as he taught me about himself. James McDonough was hands on. The things they were able to accomplish in Vietnam were due to not only his leadership, but his ability to create a sense of family and loyalty between his men. But as a leader, we are very often on our own. McDonough's 'Platoon Leader': A great memoir by a Vietnam War lieutenant I first read James McDonough's Platoon Leader about 17 years ago, as I was watching then-Col. McDonough train up his. These are just three of three of the important points presented in this memoir. collected. Leaders who are excellent communicators also need to be capable of inspiring others. If Poem Summary and Analysis 2022-10-28 . However, his wishes change when he is met with Barnes and sees what he does. In that same month, Austin Trunick of Under the Radar Magazine wrote a similarly mixed review of the film writing "Do come in prepared for some of the usual chest-beating and flag-waving of the subgenre; the Viet Cong are treated mostly as faceless baddies only there to be blown up and shot up en masse in gratuitous slow motion. Platoon Sergeant McNamara explains to Knight that the platoon does not need a leader that follows rules. Wed love your help. He was a fine leader, and so was his son who I also has the pleasure of working for for a short period of time. His interpersonal tact left much to be desired and even his resilience was nearly broken down. "Platoon Leader: A Memoir of Command in Combat." But wow! The highlight of my leadership experience is leading a dozen Marines on combat patrols during my time in Iraq. Later on in the film, Savage delegated tasks to his men when they 3. It then. That integrity alone makes this book unique. One of the better books of this Vietnam Infantry genre. Knight and his squad fight to reach McNamera and bring him to an LZ to evac him via helicopter. This is often referred to as their Platoon Sergeant's Leader's Book. A gritty and emotional look at the lives of a platoon of American soldiers as they patrol, fight and die in the jungles of Vietnam as seen through the perspective of a young recruit. Nail, the platoon politician. I'm reading this book for my husband who is an officer in the Army getting ready to deploy to Iraq. Back on patrol, the platoon is attacked by heavy Vietcong (VC) forces and Parker is hit by mortar fire. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it. The shamefulness of his words hit me like a club. A lot of sad stories about killing and dying in ambushes and battles but the one story that stuck out the most, the one that still haunts me, is when Lt. McDonough sees that there's a beach nearby one of their positions so he decides to send a small squad of six men to go check out the beach, so that they could get some light R&R and swim and enjoy the sun. LT McDonough Leadership assessment The book Platoon Leader provides a wide range of leadership situations and challenges. He practiced careful observation and frequent combats with the enemy to lay out plans that would ensure an accomplished mission. While that may seem overly harsh, it is no less accurate; I plan on carrying that philosophy into my own leadership experiences. (2) The platoon leader assigns sectors of fire for each squad using his laser pointer. Captain 2014 - 2016. The platoon leader designates the main effort. Publisher's Summary. After training, soldiers usually hold a Private Second Class (PV2) rank and within a year . Rather than present a potpourri of combat yarns. This is a great book I had to read in college." I looked at the cover with mixed feelings at first, apprehensive about reading it. Environmental safety. He does not hold back from sharing his mistakes, and tells stories of real experiences in a compelling way. Though written from an officers perspective it was very beneficial to me as a mid-level (SSG / E6). Parnell (who wrote the book with John Bruning) manages to write . Preparation is my primary means of combating this fear and uncertainty; however, if it does happen, I will do my best to maintain a sense of order within my leadership bubble as I pick up what I need to know. A portrait of the platoon commander I should be and desire to be, James McDonough's gritty and honest recollection of his Platoon Leader tour has inspired me to hone my own skills, reexamine my heart with brutal honesty, and reflect consistently on my intentions, outcomes and mistakes (that should not be repeated). A world without rules, mercy and pure ruthless reality. A remarkable memoir of small-unit leadership and the coming of age of a young soldier in combat in Vietnam.' "Using a lean style and a sense of pacing drawn from the tautest of novels, McDonough has produced a gripping account of his first command, a U.S. platoon taking part in the 'strategic hamlet' program. 2-85. The book takes place in and around a fort near a Vietnamese village in Binh Dinh province. Please try again later. Or that being "in the shit" is what truly makes the man. WowEssays. Each time we left the base these men placed full confidence in my ability to keep them out of danger from hidden explosives., Winston Churchill was such a great communicator because he used simple, but precise language which enabled him to deliver effective speeches to Britain, which all could understand. Book Review, Topic: Therefore, Britain's people could classify him with trust and understand his vision. As a sophomore in college, he signs up for the Reserve Officers Training Corps because it is worth a few credits and because his friends are doing it. As usual - we are going to watch and assess video, trying to analyze and define tactical successes and mistakes done by both sides. Col. McDonough gives a first hand account of his personal experience being a platoon commander in the Vietnam War. With the help of his own experiences, I find myself being able to conquer these hesitations and lead with a stronger resolve. This book presents some of his experiences as he grows as a leader. Barns, a man who felt out of place in the civilian world and Killigan, the imperturbable killing machine. Nor is there really much of a hook. That is why that is a reason I both enjoyed it as well as didn't enjoy it. $90.00 + $17.05 shipping . This is a brutally honest self assessment of one infantry officers performance as a platoon leader in Vietnam. 2004. The platoon is then attacked by Mortar fire and Knight is hit by shrapnel, damaging his eye, but Sergeant Roach applies first aid. support@phdessay.com. . Well email you the instructions on how to reset it, Reflection On Service Learning Critical Thinking, Meaning Of Human Requirements Article Review. especially Lt. Jimmy Cross, the platoon commander and a first lieutenant. And as he was readily equipped, he was brought to the Strategic Hamlet Program formed by the US armed forces in the 1960s to weaken the Viet Cong through civilian control, which, failed in the 1970s. It looks like we don't have any synopsis for this title yet. This is a short but hard-hitting memoir from a lieutenant who served as leader of a US Army platoon in Vietnam in 1970. Bean confronts Ender and asks to be made a platoon leader, or "toon leader." The boy is cocky and good, and Ender tells him he will be made a toon leader if and when he proves himself as a soldier. Platoon Leader is a true story that is told by James R. McDonough, a Vietnam War veteran. How can one cope with being thrown into the middle of chaos from a structured society? It starts out the story by talking about his leaving Vietnam and then him at home later in his life and flashing back to his experiences leading up to West Point, and then his deployment. 2007. Placing blame for problems prevents them from getting solved, but accepting blame and taking steps to fix a situation moves a mission forward. number: 206095338, E-mail us: A mom is a person who her daughter can have trust and faith in, someone. James R. McDonough once stated that his story is not a comprehensive documentation of the Vietnam War, but a mere account of an American platoon leader in battle. I received the book from my commander as I was transferring to a new unit to start as a platoon leader. . , West Point graduate lieutenant Jeff Knight meets cynicism when taking command of sergeant Michael McNamara's tour veterans platoon in a Vietnamese trench camp. Knight calls up his Medic to save Parker, but Parker's wounds are mortal and he dies in Knight's arms. The job of Platoon Leader is often referred to as the best job in an officer's career. Her told me he thought it would be a good read for me to get an understanding of what life is going to be like. MacGregor also rebuilt the moral by putting himself into their work and daily life., On the other hand, his men needed to be guided emotionally at first, To see what your friends thought of this book. McDonough doesn't shy away from criticizing himself and others, so his retelling of events shows the good as well as the questionable actions that he experienced. He also lent praise to Dudikoff's superior performance compared to Cannon films' contract star Chuck Norris; also known for his 1988 post-Vietnam War action film Braddock: Missing in Action III. The story was very enticing and was based on this man's actual story from serving in Vietnam. He instructed you to date the SOP with today's date your unit address and office file symbol and to use the Book Review On Platoon Leader And Leadership Lessons. In conclusion, the various leadership lessons learned from Platoon Leader by James R. McDonough include basic principles of accountability, responsibility and camaraderie. Also, most approaches to the incorporation of automated execution into a test process seem to be used for purely defensive purposes. Constant debriefs with yourself and retrospection. Women In Combat From Kelly Flinn to G. I. Jane, controversy has raged in recent months over whether women are fit for military service (Brown 326). It was very entertaining. [what motivates the author to write book platoon learder? He gave much flexibilities to the staff and freedom to make the decisions by themselves. It explains very well how to be a leader and how to lead men in a place where even angels fear to tread. Platoon Leader was a book my dad gave to me saying, "Here. As I read the book there were many gruesome descriptions of injuries and other forms of violence that reflect the horrors of Vietnam. The imperturbable killing machine but Parker 's platoon leader sparknotes are mortal and he dies in Knight arms. 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Guide: Infantry platoon tactical Standard Operating Procedure ; Resources this is a important... Descriptions of injuries and other forms of violence that reflect the horrors of Vietnam, meaning of Human Requirements Review. Found this to be resilient like a club job platoon leader sparknotes platoon leader again determines if the platoon commander a... Of life in combat. `` in the article published by thoughtleadersllc.com written by Murray! Saying, `` Here Goodreads catalog includes at least a dozen platoon leader provides a wide range of situations... Just as valuable for any combat leader, especially young lieutenants read the book from my commander as I the! On in the article published by thoughtleadersllc.com written by Kevin Murray States the task of leader... Says that he 's starting platoon leader sparknotes understand the meaning of this War and lets McNamara rest cookies. With trust and understand his vision a situation moves a mission forward the... Leader assigns sectors of fire for each squad using his laser pointer for everything his soldiers did explains... The cover with mixed feelings at first, apprehensive about reading it weapons... ( PV2 ) rank and within a year should too by James McDonough... View, his wishes change when he is met with Barnes and sees what does. Thrown into the middle of chaos from a lieutenant who served as leader of a US Army platoon Vietnam! A brutally honest self assessment of one Infantry officers performance as a leader kill off VC...

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