“Platoon Leader” provides a perspective to combat that one does not become regularly familiar with while going through training. While in schools or any other training environment, we practice, rehearse and familiarize ourselves with Battle Drills, 9 lines, patrol bases etc. because it is very likely that we will need to complete these tasks if we are eventually put into a combat scenario. However, as this book displays with LT Rolfe and the Airborne LT that Adam refers to, the mental toll can outweigh the physical.

This is important to note as a future leader in the U. S. Army. It is imperative that a Lieutenant is able to recognize and understand the struggles that his/her soldiers are facing, as well as the mental harm that it causes. This falls into the Leadership Attributes under character. Character, as well as other personality attributes, act as the foundation to being a successful and effective leader. By showing that you are empathetic to your soldiers may just be enough to let them know that they are not alone in their current state. If you lack empathy and the personality traits that subordinates find important, you will not gain trust. Without trust, nothing in the Army will function properly and you will be left in a situation similar to that of LT Rolfe.