I read platoon leader by james mcdonough because it was a firsthand account of a rookie. Apr 23, 2014 i n his 2014 article, army first lieutenant scott ginther related 20 lessons from his path from west point cadet to platoon leader in afghanistan. Vietnam war from the perspective of the american infantry and a veritable lesson on leadership. The marine corps platoon leaders course plc is an alternative for nrotc or ocs for college students who wish to become commissioned officers in the united states marine corps. Platoon leader was a great book to give you a concise glimpse into the reality of one young army leader in vietnam. Points about the soldiers personal burdens and the bond of brotherhood in combat are made so often that they become less rather than more effective. Followers were broken into five categories of the sheep, yespeople, pragmatics. It is narrated by mcdonough in first person view and tells of his story in the vietnam war as a lieutenant in command of 2nd platoon, bravo company, 4th battalion, 503rd infantryairborne plot introduction. Padilla offers a different perspective of toxic leadership in his book leadership. An american lieutenant leads a small band of soldiers into the vietnamese jungle on a relentless search for enemy forces. The platoon leader positions himself where he can best control the platoon. More life reflections from the bestselling author on themes of societal captivity and the catharsis of personal freedom. I n his 2014 article, army first lieutenant scott ginther related 20 lessons from his path from west point cadet to platoon leader in afghanistan.
The views expressed are those of the authors, and do not reflect the official position of the united states military academy, department of the army, or department of defense. Unlike most of the analysis found herewhich simply lists the unique individual story appreciationsthis indepth study details the actual encoding for each structural item. Being an infantry platoon leader is the greatest job in the world. This book would not have been completed without the support and. Jul 04, 2010 platoon leader department of defense pin 30217 shows the men of leadership who take a platoon of men in battle, quickly assessing the situation and making the right decisions at the right time. The book highlights the extreme nature of vietnam insomuch as long periods of boredom torn apart by extreme moments of violence and carnage. The articles and other content which appear on the modern war institute website are unofficial expressions of opinion. Watch platoon leader starring michael dudikoff in this militarywar on directv. What are the duties of a platoon leader in basic training.
Platoon leader is a wonderful book that could serve as somewhat of a text book in command and control of men in combat. Learn some secret advice to help you develop a cohesive team of trained warriors. A remarkable memoir of smallunit leadership and the coming of. Four years ago, she writes, married to the father of my three children, i. This is not a book for cowboys and wannabesits for people who are willing to. Discover how to be an effective, excellent and efficient leader while balancing your family time, civilian job and military career. On the next day, a shepherd drove a large herd of sheep through. The film is about a newly commissioned infantry lieutenant who arrives in vietnam to take over his. The primary objective barnes is concerned with is being a role model for his troops. Essentially a knock off of platoon, this bloodsoaked war drama chronicles the experiences of a west point graduate and his colleagues in the ruthless vietnamese jungles. Suchane had taken to heart the lessons of that day move at night to defeat. Enjoy every minute of it, even the difficult times, and give of yourself freely to your mission and your men.
Mar 01, 2012 the book s main flaw is a repetitiveness that becomes mawkish. You have the ability to mold men and make our country stronger 24 hours a day. Leadership lessons of the navy seals command performance. Mcquack 5 years ago 2 years ago washington recently released statistics from a 2014 poll show that 99% of all platoon leaders are in abusive relationships with their respective platoon sergeants. Much credit goes to 1lt ginther for clearly learning the right lessons as a young leader, and for taking the time to capture and share them with the force. Platoon leaders philosophy orders line of duty equal opportunity officer candidate school preparation warrior leadership course preparation useful vocabulary recommended army readings survey sop chain of command sexual harrassment us repneo warden. A memoir of command in combat ebook written by james r. His platoon is charged with manning an outpost next to the village of truong lam. As a platoon sergeant starts his or her relationship with a new lieutenant, it is imperative that he provides the best leadership for the platoon. Mcdonough retired is an impecable example for future and current young lieutenants that are preparing to take command of their first platoons.
Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read platoon leader. On the battlefield, platoon leaders and sergeants build their platoons. The first 100 days of platoon leadership handbook combined. They seek direction and guidance for the way they need to function in order to stay alive in vietnam. Platoon sergeants mentor future platoon leaders article. The rifle platoon an interactive exercise in smallunit tactics and leadership. A young officer, just out of west point is sent to vietnam, where the men dont respect him until he gets wounded and returns to be a wiser soldier and a better commander.
The book takes place in and around a fort near a vietnamese village in binh dinh province. As time goes on, he slowly becomes hardened to the realities of the brutal life in the field. One minute a communications check with the platoon leader is successful and the next minute you cant reach anybody. Lessons from platoon leader by james mcdonough dzone agile. James mcdonough graduated from west point and served in vietnam as an infantry platoon leader in the legendary 173d airborne brigade. Also, requiring squad leaders to build and maintain leader books. The film is about a newly commissioned infantry lieutenant who arrives in vietnam to take over his first platoon. I am a freshman in college and i was talking to a recruiter today about plc platoon leaders class at quantico. Your soldiers need to understand their part in the accountability chain. Above all, the lessons in this book should help small unit lead ers understand the. The platoon sergeant must keep in mind that he or she is training the future leadership of our army. 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. Watch platoon leader online stream full movie directv. This is not a book for cowboys and wannabesits for people who are.
He and the other newbies pass by a group of battlehardened veterans before being shepherded elsewhere. Hot soup, fly molo, vlad, and dumper come back as enders squadron leaders in the war against the buggers, but they start as his toon leaders at battle school we think. The rifle platoon an interactive exercise in smallunit tactics and leadership by john antal, lebharfriedman. Mar 18, 2015 the ncos described the role of the platoon leader where new officers are placed in charge of between 20 to 50 soldiers and are accountable for the units equipment and gave the cadets advice. Platoon leader quotes showing 11 of 1 the roads that lead young men to war are not political roads, or national and international roads, but individual roads. Love is not always a two way street, sometimes you give more than you get, and love is a choice. This is especially true with communications equipment. Platoon leader s philosophy orders line of duty equal opportunity officer candidate school preparation warrior leadership course preparation useful vocabulary recommended army readings survey sop chain of command sexual harrassment us repneo warden. Platoon leader was a book my dad gave to me saying, here. Mcdonough, 1985, presidio edition, in english book club ed. A true story of american valor, a firsthand account by medal of honor recipient clint romesha, who lost eight members of his platoon. I do turn to books written by people who have fought in the army for lessons on tactics and leadership. Barnes as a role model and leader makes a significant impact on the men in the platoon, including chris.
Platoon leader details mcdonoughs time in vietnam commanding an undermanned platoon assigned to protecting a village in the strategic hamlet program. Jul 05, 2009 a young officer, just out of west point is sent to vietnam, where the men dont respect him until he gets wounded and returns to be a wiser soldier and a better commander. Maneuver leaders, lessons often paid for in the blood of our soldiers, provide an. When he first arrives, he must win the trust of his men, who have been on their tours for a much longer time. Seal platoons employ proven leadership tactics and team models aimed at. Hire heroes usa speaks with medal of honor recipient clint romesha. Preface the stories in this book are told by and for army platoon leaders. You are the neophyte platoon leader in this informative and entertaining, interactive work. Platoon leader 1987 ra battledrenched portrait of a west point lieutenant in vietnam. I agree to adhere to the milsuite user agreement and the below terms and conditions. With the war in iraq finished, and major combat operations over in afghanistan, maneuver leaders at the platoon and company level are not facing the. Now retired from active duty, mcdonough lives with his family in tallahassee, florida.
Among them is chris taylor charlie sheen, whos about as green as they come. This flaw, however, may not bother the book s intended audience. Mcdonough, chronicles the authors experiences as an officer in the vietnam war from 197071. Once a seal platoon is formed up, its members usually train together for an. A remarkable memoir of smallunit leadership and the coming of age of a young soldier in combat in vietnam. A military theorist who has helped shape the postcold war armys thinking, he is also the author of the defense of hill 781 and the limits of glory. Platoon leader is a 1988 cannon films film set in the vietnam war and directed by aaron norris.
I tend turn to books written by people who have fought in the army for lessons on tactics and leadership. Platoon leader department of defense pin 30217 shows the men of leadership who take a platoon of men in battle, quickly assessing the situation and making the right decisions at the right time. Oct 16, 2019 the marine corps platoon leaders course plc is an alternative for nrotc or ocs for college students who wish to become commissioned officers in the united states marine corps. Platoon leader by james mcdonough pdf download ebookpdf here. This also means it has been incorporated into the dramatica story expert application itself as an easily referenced contextual example. Mcdonough, introduces the book as a story of an american platoon leader in combat.
Reading the book leading marines shed some light on the marine corps for me. May 20, 2018 with the war in iraq finished, and major combat operations over in afghanistan, maneuver leaders at the platoon and company level are not facing the same realworld scenarios that proved such an. A remarkable memoir of small unit leadership and the coming of age of a young soldier in combat in vietnam. And i have always wanted to join the marine corps for as long as i can remember but i had to go to college first. Its 1967, and a plane full of new soldiers has just arrived in vietnam. Mar 04, 2003 a remarkable memoir of smallunit leadership and the coming of age of a young soldier in combat in vietnam. Its regarded as one of the largest and fiercest battles during the u. College students can enroll in plc when they are freshmen, sophomores, or juniors in college. The ncos described the role of the platoon leader where new officers are placed in charge of between 20 to 50 soldiers and are accountable for the units equipment.
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