LT McDonough makes it very clear how he has faith in that his training, the schools he has attended set him up to be the best of the best and well prepared for what come his way during his time in combat.  What I have noticed from when he so eagerly took command to when he returned from being wounded that he did a lot of self reflecting. He had confidence that he was taught what he needs to know, before his first day he went over and over in his mind on what his first command would be, who he would talk to, and how he would try to come across. I agree with him in standing back and observing. Many go into leadership positions attempting to obtain control and power and come across as overbearing, or trying to prove something. The LT was good in observing everyone in his platoon, this allows you to see how people work so you can focus on strengthening what’s wear and sustaining what’s strong.

I noticed many times how he was worried about what they might think of him. A lot of his actions were based on trying to come off a certain way to have them perceive him a certain way.  When he came back it wasn’t his training or tactics he had to improve it was more internal, the military can only teach you so much. He did a lot of self reflecting, he allowed himself to be honest with not just his surroundings but how he was reacting to them. In the first four chapters we read about those he encountered and how they were effected. The officer he replaced was in complete denial about how he behaved, in the ended ended up only looking out for himself. Lt McDonough on the other hand started to look at things from a different point of view, taking care of his men that made his platoon. He was starting to be successful because he learned from his mistakes, his experiences. He didn’t let them hold him back. After being embarrassed from dropping his compass and overreacting he didn’t dwell on that but allowed him self to better himself.

I think he had the right idea with his first day when he went out on the patrols, he wanted to be seen as a leader who is involved,  but also learned from that harsh lesson. He needed to take care of himself and now he’s understanding that he has to take care of his platoon and not overlook any detail.  He was lucky enough to be able to learn  from what happened and now fix it for the better of the platoon.