LT McDonough decided to take immediate control of his platoon with a dedicated focus on communicating his leadership through tactics. LT McDonough immediately met with the platoon’s leaders and gained an understanding of his RTO, PSG, and squad leaders. Additionally McDonough promptly discusses the SOP’s and makes tactical changes to the platoons patrolling. LT McDonough’s desire to gain the initiative against the enemy stands out to be an especially important action to be taken by a PL replacing a previously cowardly PL who left his platoon essentially run by a squad leader. LT McDonough also experiences inner conflict regarding whether to go out on patrols because he wants to allow his squad leaders to lead patrols and not over supervise. Yet he also wanted to share risk, learn the terrain, and learn more about the capabilities of his men. LT McDonough’s decision to compromise and go out on some of the patrols reflects his desire to improve his experience as he “desperately tried to learn what he was already supposed to know.” Earlier LT McDonough describes the role of a platoon leader as “tricky business” and I believe the delicate balance of sharing in the struggle yet maintaining your role as a leader was particularly complicated by LT McDonough’s arrival to a platoon previously deprived of leadership from their PL

When LT McDonough arrives at his platoon he certainly has legitimate power as the PL Moreover, LT McDonough’s self- professed ‘by the book’ nature demonstrates an expert base of power, instilling trust through his clear grasp of doctrine. LT McDonough exemplifies self- awareness through his constant acknowledgement of his deficiencies in combat experience and his confessions of his own self doubt. Yet, he remains motivated through his doubts and even his early injury to try and improve his leadership capabilities and his platoons adeptness and cohesion. Although LT McDonough does not get to interact with his platoon very much initially because of his early injury, his awareness of the importance of the soldiers individual dispositions and how their strengths and weaknesses coalesce to form the platoon demonstrate his social skills.

I do not believe LT McDonough overcomes his fear, but in his own words, learns to function in the face of it by the end of chapter 8. After returning from his injury LT McDonough struggles, even falsely calling a booby trap. However ultimately LT McDonough is able to continue on with his job, acknowledge his mistake, and maintain his leadership. While LT McDonough certainly has fears, perhaps the most obvious of which being the fear of not leading his platoon properly. Yet McDonough continues on with an even firmer understanding of his role to set standards in every realm of a soldiers life and especially in terms of morality to keep order in the chaotic warzone. I believe functioning in the face of fear is something future leaders can prepare for by putting themselves in situations they are uncomfortable with constantly. Every young PL will at some point have no combat experience but will be expected to lead a platoon. While it is normal to have some fear during challenges such as this, it is important for self development that you constantly test yourself and become accustomed to functioning in the face of fear.