As a platoon leader in a horizontal construction unit, i had nearly twenty vehicles in my motor pool, and when i first arrived there, i knew what about three of them were for. 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. Print outwrite the guest list with addresses and give to the guest of honor. I am using this book in my weekly know the truth class and my students are finding this book not only informative but thought provoking and challenging. I do turn to books written by people who have fought in the army for lessons on tactics and leadership. School was directed to establish a ranger department for the purpose of conducting a. His platoon is charged with manning an outpost next to the village of truong lam. Your first 90 days as a parttime platoon leader 34 mins learn the critical things to do during your first 90 days as a platoon leader in the army national guard and army reserves.
Harriet emilie cady 18481941 was an american homeopathic physician and author of new thought spiritual writings. In the beginning of the book when the platoon is being assembled the entire platoon is made of young black men and right away they are sent into the heat of battle. Lessons from platoon leader by james mcdonough i tend turn to books written by people who have fought in the army for lessons on tactics and leadership. And as a platoon leader, all of your energies should be focused on getting the best training for your soldiers that you can find. The successful lieutenant by captain christopher j. After perrys platoon leader died in a firefight lieutenant gearhart took over. Books i recommend that every lieutenant reads include platoon leader by. Mcdonough a bantam book published by arrangement with presidio press printing history presidio. Cewebity peaceful pathways shaye tacker slate 52 nystesolpodcasts podcast environment. 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.
But how much of the film was real and how much was hollywood fiction. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Heroes, renegades, infidels, and the brotherhood of war in afghanistan offers. Also when your barrack room is clean and squared away your team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, platoon leader, will all be good with you and you wont be on their bad side. Mcdonough include basic principles of accountability, responsibility and camaraderie. His third book about the war, it is based upon his experiences as a soldier in the 23rd infantry division. For platoon leaders the blue boxes contain lessons learned and best practices specifically for pls. Platoon leader 1988 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. A memoir of command in combat audiobook by james r. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Another decently short book, platoon leader recalls the then lt mcdonoughs time as a platoon leader in the 173rd airborne brigade in vietnam. Finally, it will help you become a good officer and leader. I understand the sacrifice and expectations involved in leading other men, and i will.
I read platoon leader by james mcdonough because it was a first hand account of a rookie leader in the vietnam war. Mcdonough had spent the year after west point graduation assigned to bases where he could take the specialized training necessary to a member of an airborne. Besides, your soldiers will appreciate the fact that they can talk direct to you. Ive been writing a chapter about clarity for my book on credibility, and ironically have found it difficult to encapsulate what clarity means. For leaders, training should start well before the next training meeting or ftx. What not to do as a platoon leader cpt andrew shattuck center front cautions platoon leaders.
Check out my tips for success and get the common questions and answers about the platoon leader platoon sergeant relationship. The life of the black soldiers is shown as less valuable as the life of a white solider. S army platoon leader fort bliss, tx august 20 february 2015 platoon leader for a combat engineer company organic to the 4th brigade special troops battalion, 4th armored brigade combat team. Mcdonough train up his infantry brigade for bosnia. Jul 16, 2015 r eading a post on the military leader one day, a question reminded me of a critical leadership lesson i learned from my time in command.
Mcdonough retired is an impecable example for future and current young lieutenants that are preparing to take command of their first platoons. We all think we are working as hard as we can, but truth is that theres probably more we could be doing to improve. I told the platoon leaders and platoon sergeants that i would be. 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.
For battalion and company commandeers, this includes lieutenants. The film is about a newly commissioned infantry lieutenant who arrives in vietnam to take over his. Mcdonough random house audio, march 2003 abridged audio pages. I read the book platoon leader by james mcdoughal im not sure if thats how you spell his last name, and its one of the best vietnam experience books i have ever read. Responsible for what the patrol does or fails to do. Learn your equipments capabilities, what it can and cannot do.
Lessons in truth with linked toc and millions of other books are available for. Emilie cadys book lessons in truth is a must read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the metaphysical nature of the world we live,move and have our being in. However, if you ignore your career, then you will soon find yourself stuck on the backside of the battalion staff headquarters in a windowless room lit only by the glow of a dying laptop. Platoon leader was a book my dad gave to me saying, here. I first read james mcdonoughs platoon leader about 17 years ago, as i was watching thencol. 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. Courtney the lieutenant years are the time we officers get our first real lessons in leadership, training, maintenance, supply, and soldier care. Platoon leader is a wonderful book that could serve as somewhat of a text book in command and control of men in combat. James mcdonough graduated from west point and served in vietnam as an infantry platoon leader in the legendary 173d airborne brigade.
James starts the book as a fresh faced leader fresh out of west point and choosing to serve in the vietnam war. Platoon leader download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Discover how to be an effective, excellent and efficient leader while balancing your family time, civilian job and military career. The timbre and sound of his voice is that of a man old enough to have been a. A remarkable memoir of smallunit leadership and the coming of age of a young soldier in combat in vietnam. The platoon leader also indicated the ethics and morals of the war, the dehumanizing possibility a soldier might come across in the cruelty of the war. Spring 2011 s lifelong faith s 3 practicing the 10 truths about leadership from. I know that some guys had just graduated from high school within the past year. Mental preparation is essential, and thats what sean parnells outlaw platoon. Learn some secret advice to help you develop a cohesive team of trained warriors.
Further, the short operational cycles allow them to repeatedly execute a plan through to completion, adjust that plan, and then execute a similar mission set to implement the lessons they learned. The platoon leader rules, designed by steven swann later versions were developed by kurt martin, were an attempt to create generic campaign game rules that could be used not only by critical hit designers in their historical modules, but by any designer. As a platoon leader or coleader, who is holding me accountable. Based on stones own experiences as a soldier in the conflict, the film captivated millions of viewers all over the world. A memoir of command in combat ebook written by james r. Platoon leader book memoir in combat by james r mcdonough lessons for new army officers related. This could not have been further from the truth, and it would be another. As the author states he cannot claim to have written a definitive history of the vietnam conflict, instead his is. Mcdonough, chronicles the authors experiences as an officer in the vietnam war from 197071. Military officer the platoon leader club 2019 by the platoon leader club. The lessons you learn will fast remind you of the sacrifices our veterans made. Platoon leader is a 1988 cannon films film set in the vietnam war and directed by aaron norris.
It read, when was the last time you heard a unit commander ask for feedback, consider the input, publicly admit hes wrong, and change his opinion. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read platoon leader. 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. There were more than a few guys in my platoon who i think were 18. The successful lieutenant federation of american scientists. 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. Story truth and happening truth in the things they carried. 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. A remarkable memoir of smallunit leadership and the coming of. The project is scheduled to shoot in october 2014 in south africa and italy. A remarkable memoir of small unit leadership and the coming of age of a young soldier in combat in vietnam. Youre not going to be the greatest platoon leader ever this is hard to.
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. But when i ordered it and reread platoon leader i realized how very accurate and explicit the author portraid the responsibilities and dangers that a platoon leader could expect to experience during his tour of combat duty. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. 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. As a leader, i know i will have to be accountable for the actions, both good and bad, of the people i command. Baker, the platoon leader who must keep his men sane in the face of mounting casualties. 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. Apr 16, 2014 20 things about being a platoon leader that he wishes he knew way back when. Platoon leader details mcdonoughs time in vietnam commanding an undermanned platoon assigned to protecting a village in the strategic hamlet program. Enjoy every minute of it, even the difficult times, and give of yourself freely to your mission and your men.
This book presents some of his experiences as he grows as a leader. I will use this book in my highschool english classes to teach new. Watch platoon leader 1988 full movie ursula strauss on dailymotion. Much credit goes to 1lt ginther for clearly learning the right lessons as a young leader. Platoon sergeants mentor future platoon leaders article.
Lessons from platoon leader by james mcdonough dzone agile. As a platoon leader, i had a simple rule in the field, no squad leader could eat. Download platoon leader a memoir of command in combat pdf online. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. To add to the confusion, the product ships with the version 3. Do not try to come up with the whole plan yourself because it wont go well.
The things they carried 1990 is a collection of linked short stories by american novelist tim obrien, about a platoon of american soldiers fighting on the ground in the vietnam war. I tend turn to books written by people who have fought in the army for lessons on tactics and leadership. Being an infantry platoon leader is the greatest job in the world. Platoon leader book pdf platoon leader book pdf platoon leader book pdf download. Hoult is set to play a young machine gunner, while kebbell has been tapped for the role of sgt. The lieutenant years are a fire hose of tough lessons. Mcdonough recounts the unbelievable difficulty and danger associated with being a platoon leader in this unforgiving war. The nofads heartofthematter facts you need to know james m kouzes and barry z. At that time the book had not made a very good impression because vietnam was still too fresh in my mind. For platoon sergeants the yellow boxes contain lessons learned and best practices specifically for psgs.
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. Though many people talk about the trials and tribulations of being a lieutenant, there is little written today on how to do it right. The platoon sergeant must keep in mind that he or she is training the future leadership of our army. For platoon leaders and platoon sergeants the green boxes contain lessons learned and best practices for both pls and psgs. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. This at one time was on the must read list for infantry school at fort benning ga every new platoon leader shouldread this book. Learn who in your platoon is licensed for what, when those licenses expire, when they need check rides. Regardless of the unittype, it is a leaders responsibility to develop their team and their individuals.
It read, when was the last time you heard a unit commander ask for feedback, consider the input, publicly admit hes wrong, and change his opinion given that i have a vivid example of being humbled while in command, i felt compelled to share my story. Check out my tips for success and get the common questions and answers about the platoon leaderplatoon sergeant relationship. This book was about a platoon leader fresh out of west point in. R eading a post on the military leader one day, a question reminded me of a critical leadership lesson i learned from my time in command. An example of a clean barracks room would be all your clothes. What not to do as a platoon leader united states army. The articles and other content which appear on the modern war institute website are unofficial expressions of opinion. The book highlights the extreme nature of vietnam insomuch as long periods of boredom torn apart by extreme moments of violence and carnage.
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. In conclusion, the various leadership lessons learned from platoon leader by james r. College students can enroll in plc when they are freshmen, sophomores, or juniors in college. 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.
Click download or read online button to get platoon leader book now. It means telling the whole truth, unsolicited, even when it hurts you or someone else. Oliver stones oscarwinning film platoon brought the true horror of the vietnam war to the big screen. Lessons from a platoon leader in afghanistan by jack malcolm 4. At a basic combat training unit, most junior officers are in the unit for a year and spend that time as a platoon leader. New platoon leader ebook for platoon leaders in the army national guard and army reserves. As a leader if you cannot take an ugly truth or some honest candor then more often then not you lack confidence and are letting your own insecurities keep you from unlocking your full potential. I read platoon leader by james mcdonough because it was a firsthand account of a rookie. In 2014, critical hit created yet another version of platoon leader, officially called platoon leader 3. Responsible for the planning and execution of individual soldier training and platoon collective training for a 30soldier combat engineer platoon. Developing basic training platoon leaders the company leader. You have the ability to mold men and make our country stronger 24 hours a day. Love is not always a two way street, sometimes you give more than you get, and love is a choice. I will challenge myself to share this evaluation, every week with either my platoon leader, my coleader, or a pastor in my church.
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. A remarkable memoir of smallunit leadership and the coming of age of a. Mcdonoughs instrument character in this memoir is his being a leader it enabled him to explore relationships, establish a set of war ethics and morals, a progression into a real leader. Lessons learned from a distribution platoon supporting a. Platoon leaders range from priorservice e6s fresh from an initial assignment to korea to prebolc officers. Lessons learned from a distribution platoon supporting a stryker battalion. In one of the most compelling combat narratives ever written, staff sergeant david bellavia, an army infantry platoon leader in iraq, gives a teethrattling, firsthand account of 11 straight days of heavy housetohouse fighting during the climactic second battle of fallujah. I agree to adhere to the milsuite user agreement and the below terms and conditions. The center piece of this unforgettable tale is the tragic truth that america. Look at you, all brand new and shiny, right out of your basic officer leader course, hardcharging to take over your first platoon. Platoon leader was a great book to give you a concise glimpse into the reality of one young army leader in vietnam.
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