If one was to review LT McDonough prior to deployment it would be hard to argue his battle readiness. Having completed schools and succeeded at the United States Military academy he was the young leader the Army hoped to produce. However, when he arrived in Vietnam his physical ability and expertise did not prepare him for the mental tolls of an unconventional war.

The people and experiences which LT McDonough was met with in Vietnam prove how complex the mental aspects of war can be. So can such experiences be prepared for? To a degree I would argue yes. As we study emotional intelligence, it becomes incredible important to understand the motivations and influences which work on different people and organizations. Trauma based training in these fields could have helped, but in the end there is no way to simulate such complex situations in full.

LT McDonough saw both sides of how soldiers coped with the difficulties of war, and throughout the chapters it is clear that understanding the effects of war is important for any army officer. Being an effective leader and soldier in traumatic situations takes personal strength and empathy. Some responses and situations faced in combat do not follow logic, but finding an effective way to fight and win the nations wars is imperative in the Army’s efforts to protect the constitution and the people that it represents.

Does the Army prepare soldiers for the emotional aspect of war? I think today a big part of our curriculum is focused towards troop leading procedures both on and off the objective. But in the end some things can not be prepared for. Prior proper planning prevents piss poor performance. One can always plan, but in the moment adaptation and emotional intelligence weigh equally important.