In these couple chapters, we follow McDonough through his actual deployment and first few days in Vietnam. There were two main aspects of this particular section that I especially connected to. First, was the struggle that McDonough had with what his attitude or demeanor would be when he led. After seeing both the Lieutenant that had gone mad from the ambush, and then The PL he replaced who was a complete coward, McDonough worried about who he would become and what type of leader he would be. This fear also carried into the time before he first talked to his NCO and his Squad Leaders. He was nervous about how he would first come off and the initial perception he would have as a leader. I was very interested in how he would step up in his very first leadership experience. I think that he did a great job with it, showing that he knew what he was doing, and that he was in control, unlike his predecessor. Secondly, I really noticed how he decided to go on every other patrol that the squads did, not only learning the territory , but also gaining respect from his men, just like we talked about in class. I think that McDonough did a great job stepping into his position and gaining respect.
In the next few chapters, the story goes to Vietnam, and I was very interested in what was written. Lt. McDonough was critical of himself as well as his counterparts. His criticism of the Lieutenant that he was replacing was right to the point and you could sense the inner conflict the author felt when he was introduced to the first two members of the 173d, the war crazed and blood thirsty First Lieutenant and the timid and selfish 2nd Lieutenant that he was replacing. I liked how McDonough made his presence felt amongst his new platoon and made sure that they knew he would do everything he would ask of them. Additionally, his decision to use his NCOs as a chain of command as well as his decision to observe the SOPs of the platoon before making any changes reminded me of our own battalion, and I appreciated his thought process in that situation, as an attempt to earn the respect of his platoon.
In chapters 3 through 5 McDonough gives us a clear picture of the fear and uncertainty upon arriving in an inhospitable place like Vietnam. After he walks us through the mundane task of processing, he is assigned to the infamous, but highly difficult 172d Airborne Brigade. He constantly points out the stark contrasts between the veterans and new men yet to see combat, highlighting the toll Vietnam took on American soldiers. The incident with the crazed lieutenant vividly portrays the cruelty of war and the lasting effects it takes on men and women. Upon arriving in Truong Lam, McDonough readily assumes his position as leader despite his self-doubts and fears. He collects as much information from Rolfe as he can about his men and the area and then thoroughly surveys the terrain and gets his bearings, trying to find the weak points of their security and anticipating where the enemy might attack. He displays two important “leader with intellect” qualities in this chapter (4) including domain knowledge and sound judgment. He also shows that his personal values match those of a good army leader when he is disgusted by Rolfe’s lack of “responsibility for the mission… no compassion for the men.” He learned to “check himself” constantly to make sure he was still upholding his duties as a leader and not getting a deluded, big head. Lt. McDonough really comes into his own in the fifth chapter displaying his skills and training right off the bat. He makes the wise choice to learn from and listen to the advice of the platoon sergeant and squad leaders, but takes responsibility, knowing the final decision and power lies in his hands. He makes a point to establish his leadership style early, being firm, organized, thorough, and commanding, without turning the men off with harshness. He recognizes the critical nature of establishing a good reputation and relationship with the men early on. He knows he must go on patrols and engage in the hardships that he asks of them while still maintaining leadership, showing both empathy and a leader with presence by leading by example. He slips up slightly when he hypocritically criticizes his men for being sleepy when he dozed off himself. However, overall his organization, preparation, confident commanding, and constant assessment of his surrounds and danger bode well for McDonough’s future as a leader in the Army.
The first and greatest example of a what a leader SHOULD NOT do is given in the person of Tom Rolfe. He cares nothing for the safety of his men nor the successful completion of the missions; he cares only for his own skin. Despite meeting this bad example, Lt. McDonough responds in a very appropriate manner: from that point on, he inspects himself to make sure he doesn't slip into the bad leadership traits he witnessed the first day on the job.
What I was most impressed with was McDonough's mental agility. In the course of one day, he devised an effective strategy for patrolling his area and defending his post with only 22 men, and that displays his ability to assess a situation and react accordingly.
The first thing that was very striking to me was the first two officers that we meet that until recently were in the exact same situation as Lt. McDonough is about to be. One of the officers has literally gone insane in his service and has gone crazy in his bloodlust. The other cares nothing for his men and simply wants to get out of Vietnam. These are the examples of what we do not want to be. These men have lost sight of the mission in Vietnam.
Lt. McDonough on the other hand, despite just getting left in a very difficult situation comes up with a plan of action the best he can and gets it disseminated while keeping his military bearing in front of his new platoon who are all veterans at this point which is extremely important if he is to maintain effective command of his men. One thing of note that impresses his men is his willingness to go on the night patrol. This shows his willingness to do anything his men have to and it allows him to start earning their respect.
In these couple chapters, we follow McDonough through his actual deployment and first few days in Vietnam. There were two main aspects of this particular section that I especially connected to. First, was the struggle that McDonough had with what his attitude or demeanor would be when he led. After seeing both the Lieutenant that had gone mad from the ambush, and then The PL he replaced who was a complete coward, McDonough worried about who he would become and what type of leader he would be. This fear also carried into the time before he first talked to his NCO and his Squad Leaders. He was nervous about how he would first come off and the initial perception he would have as a leader. I was very interested in how he would step up in his very first leadership experience. I think that he did a great job with it, showing that he knew what he was doing, and that he was in control, unlike his predecessor. Secondly, I really noticed how he decided to go on every other patrol that the squads did, not only learning the territory , but also gaining respect from his men, just like we talked about in class. I think that McDonough did a great job stepping into his position and gaining respect.
ReplyDeleteIn the next few chapters, the story goes to Vietnam, and I was very interested in what was written. Lt. McDonough was critical of himself as well as his counterparts. His criticism of the Lieutenant that he was replacing was right to the point and you could sense the inner conflict the author felt when he was introduced to the first two members of the 173d, the war crazed and blood thirsty First Lieutenant and the timid and selfish 2nd Lieutenant that he was replacing. I liked how McDonough made his presence felt amongst his new platoon and made sure that they knew he would do everything he would ask of them. Additionally, his decision to use his NCOs as a chain of command as well as his decision to observe the SOPs of the platoon before making any changes reminded me of our own battalion, and I appreciated his thought process in that situation, as an attempt to earn the respect of his platoon.
ReplyDeleteIn chapters 3 through 5 McDonough gives us a clear picture of the fear and uncertainty upon arriving in an inhospitable place like Vietnam. After he walks us through the mundane task of processing, he is assigned to the infamous, but highly difficult 172d Airborne Brigade. He constantly points out the stark contrasts between the veterans and new men yet to see combat, highlighting the toll Vietnam took on American soldiers. The incident with the crazed lieutenant vividly portrays the cruelty of war and the lasting effects it takes on men and women. Upon arriving in Truong Lam, McDonough readily assumes his position as leader despite his self-doubts and fears. He collects as much information from Rolfe as he can about his men and the area and then thoroughly surveys the terrain and gets his bearings, trying to find the weak points of their security and anticipating where the enemy might attack. He displays two important “leader with intellect” qualities in this chapter (4) including domain knowledge and sound judgment. He also shows that his personal values match those of a good army leader when he is disgusted by Rolfe’s lack of “responsibility for the mission… no compassion for the men.” He learned to “check himself” constantly to make sure he was still upholding his duties as a leader and not getting a deluded, big head. Lt. McDonough really comes into his own in the fifth chapter displaying his skills and training right off the bat. He makes the wise choice to learn from and listen to the advice of the platoon sergeant and squad leaders, but takes responsibility, knowing the final decision and power lies in his hands. He makes a point to establish his leadership style early, being firm, organized, thorough, and commanding, without turning the men off with harshness. He recognizes the critical nature of establishing a good reputation and relationship with the men early on. He knows he must go on patrols and engage in the hardships that he asks of them while still maintaining leadership, showing both empathy and a leader with presence by leading by example. He slips up slightly when he hypocritically criticizes his men for being sleepy when he dozed off himself. However, overall his organization, preparation, confident commanding, and constant assessment of his surrounds and danger bode well for McDonough’s future as a leader in the Army.
ReplyDeleteThe first and greatest example of a what a leader SHOULD NOT do is given in the person of Tom Rolfe. He cares nothing for the safety of his men nor the successful completion of the missions; he cares only for his own skin. Despite meeting this bad example, Lt. McDonough responds in a very appropriate manner: from that point on, he inspects himself to make sure he doesn't slip into the bad leadership traits he witnessed the first day on the job.
ReplyDeleteWhat I was most impressed with was McDonough's mental agility. In the course of one day, he devised an effective strategy for patrolling his area and defending his post with only 22 men, and that displays his ability to assess a situation and react accordingly.
The first thing that was very striking to me was the first two officers that we meet that until recently were in the exact same situation as Lt. McDonough is about to be. One of the officers has literally gone insane in his service and has gone crazy in his bloodlust. The other cares nothing for his men and simply wants to get out of Vietnam. These are the examples of what we do not want to be. These men have lost sight of the mission in Vietnam.
ReplyDeleteLt. McDonough on the other hand, despite just getting left in a very difficult situation comes up with a plan of action the best he can and gets it disseminated while keeping his military bearing in front of his new platoon who are all veterans at this point which is extremely important if he is to maintain effective command of his men. One thing of note that impresses his men is his willingness to go on the night patrol. This shows his willingness to do anything his men have to and it allows him to start earning their respect.