Reading is a trait that will never particularly lose relevance. Through reading, one is able to obtain knowledge by reflecting through the accounts of others who are perhaps more experienced. The infatuation that I find with literature is that that words of the author do not change. The only alteration to the reading stems from the perspective of the reader. It is quite possible for an individual to publish literature about his/her experiences in a specific event and have two different readers distinguish a completely different message. This is very important because it allows for multiple opinions and perspectives on a particular matter, allowing for discussion. Being open minded to these discussions is vital, because looking through alternate perspectives not only allows you to view different possibilities, but it allows you to open up and understand the claim of the other reader.

Experience is something that can only be obtained with time. Due to this, somebody in a new position obviously lacks experience. However, a compensation can be made if that individual takes the time to view and reflect upon the accounts of those who were there prior. In a briefing at Basic Camp, Maj. Gen. Hughes stressed the importance of reading for future officers for this very reason. Maj. Gen. Hughes also said that if we could read only one piece of literature prior to commissioning that it should be “Extreme Ownership” by  Jocko Willink and Leif Babin.