This chapter is mainly informing the reader about the state of the nation, and the Author’s state of mind, during the rise of the Vietnam War. I starts out with a brief descriptions of the perception of schooling, and what situations led him to attend West Point. This is very important, as it is the first factor that placed McDonough in the war. He talked about his time at West Point, his time with his wife, and his time training before his ultimate deployment. There were some things that I really focused on, and those were the sentiments that McDonough expressed throughout this process. When he talks about the crushing reality of graduated West Point Cadets who have fallen in battle, you can sense the mental turmoil that he was feeling. But on the oter hand, he also crystalized the extremely strong positive feelings he had for going to Vietnam. He said that he didn’t feel like he had a choice, something inside him made him go there, “I had to serve my country, as I had to marry the woman I loved” (12). Finally, there is the feeling that he got when he finally deployed and had to leave his family behind. You could see that it pained him, but he was going to fight for something that he believed in, so he stayed strong. We can all learn from this very strong example of mental and emotional fortitude and strength.
Chapter 2 of “Platoon Leader” gave readers the important background information needed prior to Lieutenant McDonough leaving for Vietnam. It takes us through his schooling at West Point and the training he did following his graduation. One part that I took note of was when he had to say goodbye to his wife when he was shipping out. That was reminiscent of when my own father had to leave our family when he had to go to Iraq. The feelings described are very realistic, and I appreciated the connection that I felt to the story in that section. The writing on Airborne school also was interesting considering many of us just graduated STP and had some exposure to what that system is like.
In chapter two of Platoon Leader, Lt. McDonough begins to display leadership qualities before his military career even begins. Decisions and choices he makes as a West Point cadet and as a newlywed and father foreshadow his success as a military leader. His promise as a leader is evident from his first day at West Point when, despite the hardships he endures, he decides right then and there not to quit. His assured and assertive decision-making showed his resilience and confidence, both important characteristics of a leader with presence. He goes on to describe the brotherhood of his fellow West Point cadets and their commitment to getting their degree. This kind of goal setting is important for any leader who wants succeed in the military. That West Point degree also helped him gain technical knowledge, vital to leading. However, McDonough goes beyond just his education at West Point and takes advantage of the other schools available to him. He shows smart, sound judgment when he quickly signs up for airborne school and Ranger school, which further hone his technical knowledge and expertise. It also shows courage (Ranger school) and prepares him physically for Vietnam. He echoes Army values when he talks about his duty and obligation to serve his country as practically obligatory in his mind. All this preparation, before even leaving for Vietnam, shows McDonough’s intelligence and foresight and proves that he will succeed in the Army. Despite focusing so much attention on preparing himself for enlistment, he stayed committed to his family and went out of his way to make sure he spent enough time with them. Balancing his two lives and putting on a strong face for his son and wife shows he has the necessary skills to overcome challenges and balance many responsibilities.
This chapter reminded me of the journey all of us Cadets are taking right now, the transformation from raw civilians to officers. Everything he described, from the first day at the Point to his grueling ordeals at the Airborne and Ranger Schools, brought to mind an experience we have had or one that we will certainly have soon.
Of all the experiences he described, the day his mother dropped him off at West Point struck me the most. He cried; he cried for the whole car ride. Reading that a man who eventually served as an outstanding platoon leader once cried with his mother reminded me of this: the good leader does not act like a stone nor lets his passions rule him, but he responds to every situation with the appropriate amount of emotion.
This chapter talks a lot about Lt. McDonough's training, and there was a lot in there that applies to us now as cadets and will apply to us as we enter the military for real. The training he received at West Point and then the post graduation military schools (most notably ranger school) sounds very similar to what we will be experiencing in our very near futures.
The one thing that really gets me, and I am sure we will all feel this way as we head out to our first assignments, is that feeling that we have no idea what is about to happen to us. He gets on that plane to head to Vietnam and realizes that despite all of his training he has no idea what to expect.
This chapter is mainly informing the reader about the state of the nation, and the Author’s state of mind, during the rise of the Vietnam War. I starts out with a brief descriptions of the perception of schooling, and what situations led him to attend West Point. This is very important, as it is the first factor that placed McDonough in the war. He talked about his time at West Point, his time with his wife, and his time training before his ultimate deployment. There were some things that I really focused on, and those were the sentiments that McDonough expressed throughout this process. When he talks about the crushing reality of graduated West Point Cadets who have fallen in battle, you can sense the mental turmoil that he was feeling. But on the oter hand, he also crystalized the extremely strong positive feelings he had for going to Vietnam. He said that he didn’t feel like he had a choice, something inside him made him go there, “I had to serve my country, as I had to marry the woman I loved” (12). Finally, there is the feeling that he got when he finally deployed and had to leave his family behind. You could see that it pained him, but he was going to fight for something that he believed in, so he stayed strong. We can all learn from this very strong example of mental and emotional fortitude and strength.
ReplyDeleteChapter 2 of “Platoon Leader” gave readers the important background information needed prior to Lieutenant McDonough leaving for Vietnam. It takes us through his schooling at West Point and the training he did following his graduation. One part that I took note of was when he had to say goodbye to his wife when he was shipping out. That was reminiscent of when my own father had to leave our family when he had to go to Iraq. The feelings described are very realistic, and I appreciated the connection that I felt to the story in that section. The writing on Airborne school also was interesting considering many of us just graduated STP and had some exposure to what that system is like.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter two of Platoon Leader, Lt. McDonough begins to display leadership qualities before his military career even begins. Decisions and choices he makes as a West Point cadet and as a newlywed and father foreshadow his success as a military leader. His promise as a leader is evident from his first day at West Point when, despite the hardships he endures, he decides right then and there not to quit. His assured and assertive decision-making showed his resilience and confidence, both important characteristics of a leader with presence. He goes on to describe the brotherhood of his fellow West Point cadets and their commitment to getting their degree. This kind of goal setting is important for any leader who wants succeed in the military. That West Point degree also helped him gain technical knowledge, vital to leading. However, McDonough goes beyond just his education at West Point and takes advantage of the other schools available to him. He shows smart, sound judgment when he quickly signs up for airborne school and Ranger school, which further hone his technical knowledge and expertise. It also shows courage (Ranger school) and prepares him physically for Vietnam. He echoes Army values when he talks about his duty and obligation to serve his country as practically obligatory in his mind. All this preparation, before even leaving for Vietnam, shows McDonough’s intelligence and foresight and proves that he will succeed in the Army. Despite focusing so much attention on preparing himself for enlistment, he stayed committed to his family and went out of his way to make sure he spent enough time with them. Balancing his two lives and putting on a strong face for his son and wife shows he has the necessary skills to overcome challenges and balance many responsibilities.
ReplyDeleteThis chapter reminded me of the journey all of us Cadets are taking right now, the transformation from raw civilians to officers. Everything he described, from the first day at the Point to his grueling ordeals at the Airborne and Ranger Schools, brought to mind an experience we have had or one that we will certainly have soon.
ReplyDeleteOf all the experiences he described, the day his mother dropped him off at West Point struck me the most. He cried; he cried for the whole car ride. Reading that a man who eventually served as an outstanding platoon leader once cried with his mother reminded me of this: the good leader does not act like a stone nor lets his passions rule him, but he responds to every situation with the appropriate amount of emotion.
This chapter talks a lot about Lt. McDonough's training, and there was a lot in there that applies to us now as cadets and will apply to us as we enter the military for real. The training he received at West Point and then the post graduation military schools (most notably ranger school) sounds very similar to what we will be experiencing in our very near futures.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that really gets me, and I am sure we will all feel this way as we head out to our first assignments, is that feeling that we have no idea what is about to happen to us. He gets on that plane to head to Vietnam and realizes that despite all of his training he has no idea what to expect.