The platoon leader book

Lally photo by sgt seth plagenza soldiers from the 173rd airborne brigade discuss possible routes during exercise allied spirit vi at 7th army training commands hohenfels training area, germany, on 20 march 2017. Army nco leaders book item covering the deployment sequence of events counseling data sheet suggested u. I first read james mcdonoughs platoon leader about 17 years ago, as i. Love is not always a two way street, sometimes you give more than you get, and love is a choice. Worldwide, platoon leaders and sergeants are personally leading the u. Mcdonough, chronicles the authors experiences as an officer in the vietnam war from 197071. Over the course of the book, mcdonough forms very strong relationships with his men. Leader s book 17 sample 5 paragraph operation order 1. 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. They have been used throughout history dating back to before the 1800. Army nco leaders book item covering the deployment sequence of events. 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.

Together, both platoon leaders create an inventory schedule, keeping in mind the subhandreceipt holders, soldiers, and the companys training schedule. Reading the book leading marines shed some light on the marine corps for me. The situation to our south escalated quickly, and my commander ordered an adjacent platoon to begin movement in. 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. 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. A tactical decision game tdg is a situational exercise that is driven by a narrative that provides basic mission, intent, and resources available, allowing leaders to work through their decisionmaking processes tlps, mdmp, etc. From the green notebook developing leaders one page at a time. Situation a enemy forces 1 situation enemy, weather and terrain. Platoon leader a memoir of command in combat by james r. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The platoon leader pl platoon sergeant psg leadership team is a unique and influential pair of roles that exist in the army. His interpersonal tact left much to be desired and even his resilience was nearly broken down. The book highlights the extreme nature of vietnam insomuch as long periods of boredom torn apart by extreme moments of violence and carnage. The third and final large lesson i picked up from platoon leader was the notion of loyalty and camaraderie with those who follow me.

Mar 01, 2012 in 2006, parnell was a neophyte army airborne ranger with the storied 10th mountain division, assigned as a new platoon leader in afghanistan, desperate to prove himself. Lt mcdonough leadership assessment the book platoon leader provides a wide range of leadership situations and challenges. Army nco leaders book item covering team squad section and platoon training deployment sequence of events suggested u. Platoon leader was a great book to give you a concise glimpse into the reality of one young army leader in vietnam.

Army nco leaders book item covering team squad section and platoon training. 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. The combat vignettes of former platoon leaders flow along the arc of a typical 12month tour in iraq. From the green notebook developing leaders one page at a. I agree to adhere to the milsuite user agreement and the below terms and conditions. The book takes place in and around a fort near a vietnamese village in. I tend turn to books written by people who have fought in the army for lessons on tactics and leadership.

Army combat in iraq sourced from incountry interviews of this generations platoon leaders from 20032008. My other squads had established observation posts ops using their dismounts, all of whom needed to be located and led back to the platoon for mobilization. Army nco leaders book item covering the counseling data sheet. Mcdonough, introduces the book as a story of an american platoon leader in combat. 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. Now retired from active duty, mcdonough lives with his family in tallahassee, florida.

You have the ability to mold men and make our country stronger 24 hours a day. Field operations, mission support, class iii v maintenance transportation, medical support, and i. A guide for effective platoon leader platoon sergeant co. Jan 17, 2016 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. It was operation packed, heartwrenching and even funny at times. Platoon leader details mcdonoughs time in vietnam commanding an undermanned platoon assigned to protecting a village in the strategic hamlet program. A platoon leaders guide to inventory and accountability.

The leaders book is a tried and true smallunit leadership aid. James r mcdonough a remarkable memoir of smallunit leadership and the coming of age of a young soldier in combat in vietnam. After reading this book it is obvious why the army chose it as required reading for officer candidate school. Mar 20, 2012 i first read james mcdonoughs platoon leader about 17 years ago, as i was watching thencol. In order for a platoon to succeed, an effective partnership must exist between the pl and psg. Page 1 of 2 1 2 team squad section platoon training suggested u. A remarkable memoir of smallunit leadership and the coming of age of a young soldier in combat in vietnam. 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. Being an infantry platoon leader is the greatest job in the world. Platoons senior trainer, assis t and evaluate squad training. It doesnt exist in doctrine but is a part of many unit standard operating procedures sop and best practices. The book takes place in and around a fort near a vietnamese village in binh dinh province.

What i loved most about the book is that it was a personal story of a platoon leader during a year of combat in vietnam. First, the outgoing platoon leader should recall all property loaned out and update his hand receipt to reflect any changes that occurred that is, any unserviceable equipment. An overview of the army officers generational divides. Platoon leader is a 1988 cannon films film set in the vietnam war and directed by aaron norris. The film is about a newly commissioned infantry lieutenant who arrives in vietnam to take over his. Every leader should maintain a leaders book in some form but especially smallunit leaders. Platoon leader 1988 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Using a lean style and a sense of pacing drawn from the tautest of novels, mcdonough has produced a gripping. In 2006, parnell was a neophyte army airborne ranger with the storied 10th mountain division, assigned as a new platoon leader in afghanistan, desperate to prove himself.

Mcdonough retired is an impecable example for future and current young lieutenants that are preparing to take command of their first platoons. Mcdonoughs experiences as a combat officer in the vietnam war from 19701971. Platoon leader is an unbelievable glimpse into the life of a typical platoon leader sent into the bush of vietnam. I first read james mcdonoughs platoon leader about 17 years ago, as i was watching thencol. Training notes a platoon leaders reflection on readiness. 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.

Enjoy every minute of it, even the difficult times, and give of yourself freely to your mission and your men. Mcdonough train up his infantry brigade for bosnia. Lessons from platoon leader by james mcdonough dzone agile. A great memoir by a vietnam war lieutenant i first read james mcdonoughs platoon leader about 17 years ago, as i was watching thencol. Current army training, however, does not focus on teaching leaders how to effectively partner together. Lt mcdonough was, as a rule, very successful in dealing with intellectually challenging problems. Platoon leader is a wonderful book that could serve as somewhat of a text book in command and control of men in combat. 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. All proceeds from the operation of this site are donated to veteran and other charities. I read platoon leader by james mcdonough because it was a firsthand account of a rookie. A platoon leaders reflection on readiness 1lt jason r. Well i found a book that ranks with macdonalds company commander, the best military memoir ever. His platoon is charged with manning an outpost next to the village of truong lam.