I agree with Lt. McDonough that what propels men and women into combat was not the draft. Those who are not fit to fight will not end up in combat, as there is a variety of people the military can choose to send to combat or even let into the military. If somebody is really for avoiding the war he will be able to avoid it. I was amazed in this book when I read that a battalion in the 173d Airborne Brigade suffered 800 casualties during the Tet Offensive. I was inspired by the loyalty and dedication Lt. McDonough showed by volunteering to join the 173d (one of the toughest brigades in the Army) in Vietnam during a time of intense fighting. He sacrificed living safely with his wife and his new born son for the terror of Vietnam.
Chapter two begins and speaks of the world and how when McDonough was young it seemed as though world events did not matter, and of how his individual road took him to West Point, when he spoke of the war in Vietnam, and of America’s growing involvement the casualty rate went up and soon fellow classmates of his had gone to Vietnam, and some had even lost their lives. This reminds me that today we have Notre Dame Army Rotc graduates in war zones in Iraq, and Afghanistan, and that like McDonough when I graduate I have a good chance of going into War. Also this chapter forced me to take a look at the unnoticed families of Soldiers who also sacrifice so much as does McDonough’s, parents, his new born,and his wife and she does it in such a very challenging time in her life. I can also see how this could be challenging leaving his family at this time but he knows he has a very important job he has to do. Again I find this book very interesting and look forward to reading this book.
This chapter is mostly about his time in West Point. I was a little surprised at the lengths he went to get into West Point, but he definitely had a goal and saw it through. I think that is very admirable. I thought it was very sobering how he thought he was ready for war and whatever life threw at him until he had to leave his wife and infant son at the airport and head to Vietnam. Even with all his training and time at West Point, he still was scared when he had to leave his family and didn't know if he would ever see them again.
In chapter 2 McDonough discusses the history of the early 1960’s with the pressures of the Soviet Union, and John F. Kennedy’s death. There was much going on and the main headlines of the press ignored the news from Vietnam. For a boy from Brooklyn that would have been the exact opposite place on earth from where you lived. McDonough was concerned for getting money to pay for a college education. McDonough also felt that he should serve his country. He thought the conflict in Vietnam would probably be over before he was finished at West Point, just like the majority of American wars since our independence. Then he discusses how he first heard of Vietnam and the training that prepared him for Vietnam. I was shocked about hearing the eight hundred casualties on Thanksgiving during 1967. All of them were from a single battalion. McDonough choice of the 173 Airborne Division states a lot of the physical and mental endurance of this officer. McDonough is also worried about leaving his wife and newborn baby in the States .Platoon Leader is an interesting book and helps us appreciate what service men like McDonough left behind to protect freedom.
The second chapter was a very good but very short overview of his life leading up to Vietnam. He tells us he was a student of Civil Engineering and an avid boxer before he went to West point. This shows us how as a citizen, he is mentally and physically fit. This serves as a model for us cadets as we go through our college life. Although we all can't be as active as McDonough is, he shows us that it is important to engage in constructive hobbies and take our education seriously. Some may say a good education followed by military service is contradictory, but that is not always the case. I realize that not all of us are going go be put into dangerous war zones like McDonough, but even if we aren't, we still must be ready to perform combat operations as diligently as any officer in the Army. Later in the chapter he talks about learning at West point, Airborne School, Ranger School and other training he receives to be a credible officer to his men. I'm not going to lie, the way he talks about those training schools are very intimidating.
The way in which McDonough describes his entry into the military seems to be lacking in concrete reasoning. He studied civil engineering, and then decided to apply to West Point. when the call came through that he could have the appointment, his response was not so much a "yes i want to" as a "well, why not." and the end of his four years, he states that his choice of branch and post (and unit for that matter) just flowed naturally. I can understand some of the appeal of being infantry, but is it really so great that cadets compete to be in it? McDonough chose infantry and then asked to be posted to Vietnam, in the unit that most frequently saw combat. If McDonough had known what combat in the jungles really meant would he have made the same decision? It seems like he's either crazy, or has a pair that hangs past his knees. Either that or he was just born Irish (or some combination of the three).
Chapter two basically summarized McDonough's life leading up to his deployment. I really liked this chapter because it is kind of like all of our lives in ROTC. Some of us were undecided if we wanted to join the Army straight out of high school or take the college route commissioning after. McDounough decided to go to college and work as hard as he could to get an appointment to West Point. After his hard work and dedication he finally got accepted. He goes through many years of schooling then when he commissions he is off to airborne school, ranger school, and officer training. McDonough never gave up through out all of his training. Even when he fell in love with his wife, he still kept pushing through. This shows him as a dedicated leader.
Chapter 2!!!!! Well, I can't say that I have been through any of what McDonough has gone through; but none the less, this book is much more relatable! And I enjoy reading about this guy. As far as leadership qualities, we don't get a huge sense in this chapter, mostly because this chapter focused more on background stuff and training. However, we learn he went to Westpoint, obviously showing his desire to lead. Also, we definetely get that he was not a quitter and was extremely determined, which I deeply admire. Some of the training he described sounds like the worst thing ever, but he never let it get to him. Also, we definetely see strong courage as he volunteers for the 173d Airborne Brigade. (Holy crap). So basically at this point, I'm already extremely impressed with this guy. I admire his determination and relentless commitment.
Chapter two gave a great look into the man that McDonough is. By understanding his history, especially how he volunteered for the Army and was not drafted, readers get a great sense of how devoted McDonough is to his country. He lists all of his accomplishments, such as airborne school, ranger school, and graduation from West Point, however, he lists them in a matter-of-fact manner. His tone seems humble to me, and it doesn't seem like he's attempting to toot his own horn with his story. That being said, his accomplishments are very prestigious and I'm glad we are getting the story through his point of view. Although we aren't the same as McDonough, their are some similarities that we as cadets can relate to, and certainly lessons that we will learn from.
McDonough's mind seems to be a bit enigmatic. He goes to great lengths to receive admission to West Point, and then when he finally is granted the opportunity, his response is: "I guess so." A few pages later he then states: "...they were not decisions at all. They flowed with the same naturalness as falling in love" (12). It's difficult to decipher exactly what is going on with his decision-making process. Either way, this chapter gives us incite to his emotional attachments, including his wife and family. It's depressing to think about how his newborn son may grow up not knowing his father, but that is one of the emotional hardships of war. The last line of the chapter I feel is essential to the rest of the plot. McDonough has spent years preparing for war: West Point, Ranger training, and Airborne school, and yet he still has no idea what to expect from the War in Vietnam.
I found it interesting that McDonough did little but give a quick overview of his time at West Point and of his high school years. It seems that so much happened to him, especially during his four years of college that he would want to give more detail. By his description it seems that he views his years at West Point and the few years afterwards training not near as important as what is happens to him in the future. In a way that makes sense. Vietnam had a large impact on his life but you would think that he would want to give a bit more background of himself. Also I found it interesting that he never gives his wife's name. I wonder if this is to simply make the book seem more about the Vietnam experience then his own personal life and story. I do like however how he tells exactly what he felt about certain things that happened to him such as the plane ride to Vietnam and how ridiculous it seemed to him at the time. He writes to give personal opinions but not in so much detail that the book becomes more his autobiography then what it seems he wants it to be, a book about command in Vietnam.
Getting to know a little bit more of McDonough's background was insightful- he seemed ready for whatever was headed his way. A couple things that stood out to me in chapter 2 were first, when McDonough stated, "The roads that lead young men to war are not political roads, or national and international roads, but individual roads" (Pg 8). I find this somewhat similar to our so far decision with ROTC. As cadets we are choosing to be in this program, whether it is for financial support or personal desire, but nonetheless we have chosen this path. Later on in the chapter, he states, “It is one thing to hear of far away battles. It is another to know people who have fought and died in them. Their deaths brought me face-to-face with finality in a way that reading statistics from other battles never could” (Pg. 11)….and later, “The war was becoming a reality. Back in 1966 and 1967 I believed it would end before my time came” (Pg. 12). The MS1 class may think of four years away as a long time, but in reality it is not long at all. We have four years to become the best versions of ourselves as we can be before we are going to be depended on as leaders, and the “real” Army will become a reality. McDonough is a very strong, both mentally and physically. As I continue to read I admire his determination and strength.
I agree with Lt. McDonough that what propels men and women into combat was not the draft. Those who are not fit to fight will not end up in combat, as there is a variety of people the military can choose to send to combat or even let into the military. If somebody is really for avoiding the war he will be able to avoid it.
ReplyDeleteI was amazed in this book when I read that a battalion in the 173d Airborne Brigade suffered 800 casualties during the Tet Offensive. I was inspired by the loyalty and dedication Lt. McDonough showed by volunteering to join the 173d (one of the toughest brigades in the Army) in Vietnam during a time of intense fighting. He sacrificed living safely with his wife and his new born son for the terror of Vietnam.
Chapter two begins and speaks of the world and how when McDonough was young it seemed as though world events did not matter, and of how his individual road took him to West Point, when he spoke of the war in Vietnam, and of America’s growing involvement the casualty rate went up and soon fellow classmates of his had gone to Vietnam, and some had even lost their lives. This reminds me that today we have Notre Dame Army Rotc graduates in war zones in Iraq, and Afghanistan, and that like McDonough when I graduate I have a good chance of going into War. Also this chapter forced me to take a look at the unnoticed families of Soldiers who also sacrifice so much as does McDonough’s, parents, his new born,and his wife and she does it in such a very challenging time in her life. I can also see how this could be challenging leaving his family at this time but he knows he has a very important job he has to do. Again I find this book very interesting and look forward to reading this book.
ReplyDeleteThis chapter is mostly about his time in West Point. I was a little surprised at the lengths he went to get into West Point, but he definitely had a goal and saw it through. I think that is very admirable. I thought it was very sobering how he thought he was ready for war and whatever life threw at him until he had to leave his wife and infant son at the airport and head to Vietnam. Even with all his training and time at West Point, he still was scared when he had to leave his family and didn't know if he would ever see them again.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 2 McDonough discusses the history of the early 1960’s with the pressures of the Soviet Union, and John F. Kennedy’s death. There was much going on and the main headlines of the press ignored the news from Vietnam. For a boy from Brooklyn that would have been the exact opposite place on earth from where you lived. McDonough was concerned for getting money to pay for a college education. McDonough also felt that he should serve his country. He thought the conflict in Vietnam would probably be over before he was finished at West Point, just like the majority of American wars since our independence. Then he discusses how he first heard of Vietnam and the training that prepared him for Vietnam. I was shocked about hearing the eight hundred casualties on Thanksgiving during 1967. All of them were from a single battalion. McDonough choice of the 173 Airborne Division states a lot of the physical and mental endurance of this officer. McDonough is also worried about leaving his wife and newborn baby in the States .Platoon Leader is an interesting book and helps us appreciate what service men like McDonough left behind to protect freedom.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe second chapter was a very good but very short overview of his life leading up to Vietnam. He tells us he was a student of Civil Engineering and an avid boxer before he went to West point. This shows us how as a citizen, he is mentally and physically fit. This serves as a model for us cadets as we go through our college life. Although we all can't be as active as McDonough is, he shows us that it is important to engage in constructive hobbies and take our education seriously. Some may say a good education followed by military service is contradictory, but that is not always the case. I realize that not all of us are going go be put into dangerous war zones like McDonough, but even if we aren't, we still must be ready to perform combat operations as diligently as any officer in the Army.
ReplyDeleteLater in the chapter he talks about learning at West point, Airborne School, Ranger School and other training he receives to be a credible officer to his men. I'm not going to lie, the way he talks about those training schools are very intimidating.
The way in which McDonough describes his entry into the military seems to be lacking in concrete reasoning. He studied civil engineering, and then decided to apply to West Point. when the call came through that he could have the appointment, his response was not so much a "yes i want to" as a "well, why not." and the end of his four years, he states that his choice of branch and post (and unit for that matter) just flowed naturally. I can understand some of the appeal of being infantry, but is it really so great that cadets compete to be in it? McDonough chose infantry and then asked to be posted to Vietnam, in the unit that most frequently saw combat. If McDonough had known what combat in the jungles really meant would he have made the same decision? It seems like he's either crazy, or has a pair that hangs past his knees. Either that or he was just born Irish (or some combination of the three).
ReplyDeleteChapter two basically summarized McDonough's life leading up to his deployment. I really liked this chapter because it is kind of like all of our lives in ROTC. Some of us were undecided if we wanted to join the Army straight out of high school or take the college route commissioning after. McDounough decided to go to college and work as hard as he could to get an appointment to West Point. After his hard work and dedication he finally got accepted. He goes through many years of schooling then when he commissions he is off to airborne school, ranger school, and officer training. McDonough never gave up through out all of his training. Even when he fell in love with his wife, he still kept pushing through. This shows him as a dedicated leader.
ReplyDeleteChapter 2!!!!! Well, I can't say that I have been through any of what McDonough has gone through; but none the less, this book is much more relatable! And I enjoy reading about this guy. As far as leadership qualities, we don't get a huge sense in this chapter, mostly because this chapter focused more on background stuff and training. However, we learn he went to Westpoint, obviously showing his desire to lead. Also, we definetely get that he was not a quitter and was extremely determined, which I deeply admire. Some of the training he described sounds like the worst thing ever, but he never let it get to him. Also, we definetely see strong courage as he volunteers for the 173d Airborne Brigade. (Holy crap). So basically at this point, I'm already extremely impressed with this guy. I admire his determination and relentless commitment.
ReplyDeleteChapter two gave a great look into the man that McDonough is. By understanding his history, especially how he volunteered for the Army and was not drafted, readers get a great sense of how devoted McDonough is to his country. He lists all of his accomplishments, such as airborne school, ranger school, and graduation from West Point, however, he lists them in a matter-of-fact manner. His tone seems humble to me, and it doesn't seem like he's attempting to toot his own horn with his story. That being said, his accomplishments are very prestigious and I'm glad we are getting the story through his point of view. Although we aren't the same as McDonough, their are some similarities that we as cadets can relate to, and certainly lessons that we will learn from.
ReplyDeleteMcDonough's mind seems to be a bit enigmatic. He goes to great lengths to receive admission to West Point, and then when he finally is granted the opportunity, his response is: "I guess so." A few pages later he then states: "...they were not decisions at all. They flowed with the same naturalness as falling in love" (12). It's difficult to decipher exactly what is going on with his decision-making process. Either way, this chapter gives us incite to his emotional attachments, including his wife and family. It's depressing to think about how his newborn son may grow up not knowing his father, but that is one of the emotional hardships of war. The last line of the chapter I feel is essential to the rest of the plot. McDonough has spent years preparing for war: West Point, Ranger training, and Airborne school, and yet he still has no idea what to expect from the War in Vietnam.
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that McDonough did little but give a quick overview of his time at West Point and of his high school years. It seems that so much happened to him, especially during his four years of college that he would want to give more detail. By his description it seems that he views his years at West Point and the few years afterwards training not near as important as what is happens to him in the future. In a way that makes sense. Vietnam had a large impact on his life but you would think that he would want to give a bit more background of himself. Also I found it interesting that he never gives his wife's name. I wonder if this is to simply make the book seem more about the Vietnam experience then his own personal life and story. I do like however how he tells exactly what he felt about certain things that happened to him such as the plane ride to Vietnam and how ridiculous it seemed to him at the time. He writes to give personal opinions but not in so much detail that the book becomes more his autobiography then what it seems he wants it to be, a book about command in Vietnam.
ReplyDeleteGetting to know a little bit more of McDonough's background was insightful- he seemed ready for whatever was headed his way. A couple things that stood out to me in chapter 2 were first, when McDonough stated, "The roads that lead young men to war are not political roads, or national and international roads, but individual roads" (Pg 8). I find this somewhat similar to our so far decision with ROTC. As cadets we are choosing to be in this program, whether it is for financial support or personal desire, but nonetheless we have chosen this path.
ReplyDeleteLater on in the chapter, he states, “It is one thing to hear of far away battles. It is another to know people who have fought and died in them. Their deaths brought me face-to-face with finality in a way that reading statistics from other battles never could” (Pg. 11)….and later, “The war was becoming a reality. Back in 1966 and 1967 I believed it would end before my time came” (Pg. 12). The MS1 class may think of four years away as a long time, but in reality it is not long at all. We have four years to become the best versions of ourselves as we can be before we are going to be depended on as leaders, and the “real” Army will become a reality.
McDonough is a very strong, both mentally and physically. As I continue to read I admire his determination and strength.