Pretty good list, but don’t read just one and done, you’ll need to read multiple books in order to pull out the best bits. No book is perfect so expect to disagree with the author on some things but over a series of books you should be able to sharpen your understanding.
I have read all but the last book "Once an Eagle" on that list of books Military.com put out. That is now on my list.
I have read Killer Angels at least 6 times. Utterly amazing. The thoughts that had to be going through Chamberlains head as he endured attack after attack and the final determination to do the bayonet charge.
I recommend “The Caine Mutiny” by Herman Wouk to every young officer and new SNCO. It is one of the best novels to explore leadership, loyalty and duty.
Life long reading is the obligation of the professional. Gen Gray’s introduction to a professional reading list was not new to professionals but forced others to get onboard. You simply, cannot be a professional without being a devoted reader. The true military professional is physically fit, technically and tactically competent and exceptionally well read. This must be accomplished in the framework of an ethical construct and devotion to the oath we take. My rule of thumb would be 25 books per year which are discussed and dissected with peers and superiors. Probably 2 hours every other week.
Sadly, it is quickly apparent who does not read. Too many are spoon fed and power point deep.
Without a doubt “Fields of Fire” had seminal impact on those of us young infantry officers that served just after the end of the Viet Nam War. For us Robert E. Lee Hodges was a visceral example of what a young platoon commander was and what we ought to aspire to be as a leader. We all knew that James Webb was speaking to us in brutal truth in a non preachy way. Hodges was the fictional character that our IOC instructors were trying to create in each of us. The Village is equally powerful. Listen and learn. To all of the this one might pick up a copy of “The Banana Wars” by Lester D. Langley covering Marine Corps activities in the Caribbean from 1898 to 1934. Anyone doubting the efficacy of the MAGTF will find illumination here and succor if you already know how important the MAGTF is still today. Okay it wasn’t quite established as we know it today, but the forces arrayed to put down various insurrections and coup s’etat’s etc were functional and accomplished all manner of missions.
I would like to add 2 more books then I will sit down. It took each of these officers almost 4 decades each to sit down and put pin to paper such are the effects of PTSD. Some who did not serve in Vietnam have made disparaging comments about those thusly afflicted.
The first book is THE RUMOR OF WAR by Marine infantry officer PHILIP CAPUTO.
The second book is DEAD MEN FLYING by USN LT MICHAEL ^MULE^ MULDANE. SF
It appears that the Army sees the Indo-Pacific area and islands as their territory? Does that leave the Marines as embassy guards and seagoing guards of the ships' captains? When are the senior officers at HQMC going to ditch this stupid Force Design Mongolian Goat Rope and put our Corps back together a make it a viable combat force? Have served with Joe Hoar and Tony Zinni in Vietnam, and later served in Iraq and Vietnam, I am at a loss to understand thois move. Did Berger cut a funding deal with the Army, Navy and Air Force to cause him and his cabal to scrap the MAGTF? Sad.
Land Warfare, Sponsored Post
Filling the gap: Mobile connectivity for Army maneuver forces
Expeditionary forces jumping from island to island in the Indo-Pacific need a mobile way to command and control from vehicles, hotels, and homes.
I didn't fully David Hackworth's About Face until the debacle and moral failures surrounding the Australian Special Forces' involvement in Afghanistan came to light. There was no one like Hackworth in the middle to senior Australian Army ranks to see through folly.
Pretty good list, but don’t read just one and done, you’ll need to read multiple books in order to pull out the best bits. No book is perfect so expect to disagree with the author on some things but over a series of books you should be able to sharpen your understanding.
Please add then Major H R McMaster’s Dereliction of Duty:, LBJ, Robert MacNamara, the JCS and the lies that led to the Vietnam War
I have read all but the last book "Once an Eagle" on that list of books Military.com put out. That is now on my list.
I have read Killer Angels at least 6 times. Utterly amazing. The thoughts that had to be going through Chamberlains head as he endured attack after attack and the final determination to do the bayonet charge.
I recommend “The Caine Mutiny” by Herman Wouk to every young officer and new SNCO. It is one of the best novels to explore leadership, loyalty and duty.
Life long reading is the obligation of the professional. Gen Gray’s introduction to a professional reading list was not new to professionals but forced others to get onboard. You simply, cannot be a professional without being a devoted reader. The true military professional is physically fit, technically and tactically competent and exceptionally well read. This must be accomplished in the framework of an ethical construct and devotion to the oath we take. My rule of thumb would be 25 books per year which are discussed and dissected with peers and superiors. Probably 2 hours every other week.
Sadly, it is quickly apparent who does not read. Too many are spoon fed and power point deep.
Without a doubt “Fields of Fire” had seminal impact on those of us young infantry officers that served just after the end of the Viet Nam War. For us Robert E. Lee Hodges was a visceral example of what a young platoon commander was and what we ought to aspire to be as a leader. We all knew that James Webb was speaking to us in brutal truth in a non preachy way. Hodges was the fictional character that our IOC instructors were trying to create in each of us. The Village is equally powerful. Listen and learn. To all of the this one might pick up a copy of “The Banana Wars” by Lester D. Langley covering Marine Corps activities in the Caribbean from 1898 to 1934. Anyone doubting the efficacy of the MAGTF will find illumination here and succor if you already know how important the MAGTF is still today. Okay it wasn’t quite established as we know it today, but the forces arrayed to put down various insurrections and coup s’etat’s etc were functional and accomplished all manner of missions.
How about, "War is A Racket" by Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler USMC (Ret) who was awarded the Medal of Honor twice. SF
I would like to add 2 more books then I will sit down. It took each of these officers almost 4 decades each to sit down and put pin to paper such are the effects of PTSD. Some who did not serve in Vietnam have made disparaging comments about those thusly afflicted.
The first book is THE RUMOR OF WAR by Marine infantry officer PHILIP CAPUTO.
The second book is DEAD MEN FLYING by USN LT MICHAEL ^MULE^ MULDANE. SF
It appears that the Army sees the Indo-Pacific area and islands as their territory? Does that leave the Marines as embassy guards and seagoing guards of the ships' captains? When are the senior officers at HQMC going to ditch this stupid Force Design Mongolian Goat Rope and put our Corps back together a make it a viable combat force? Have served with Joe Hoar and Tony Zinni in Vietnam, and later served in Iraq and Vietnam, I am at a loss to understand thois move. Did Berger cut a funding deal with the Army, Navy and Air Force to cause him and his cabal to scrap the MAGTF? Sad.
Land Warfare, Sponsored Post
Filling the gap: Mobile connectivity for Army maneuver forces
Expeditionary forces jumping from island to island in the Indo-Pacific need a mobile way to command and control from vehicles, hotels, and homes.
I didn't fully David Hackworth's About Face until the debacle and moral failures surrounding the Australian Special Forces' involvement in Afghanistan came to light. There was no one like Hackworth in the middle to senior Australian Army ranks to see through folly.
Thanks Compass Points. Good post.
Was sad to see that This Kind of War by Fehrenbach is not on the list. Required reading for all officers.
Thanks Phil. That's a good add.