While I understand LT McDonough’s intent to improve morale and aid his soldiers suffering from jungle sores by sending them to the beach, ultimately I disagree with his decision to send a squad to the beach. As LT McDonough states, although well intentioned, he “built the idea into a plan” and ordered it’s execution. This is a dangerous predicament as a leader because even the most genuine intentions can cause an inability to see the faults in ones ideas. While LT McDonough’s plan had the potential to aid the members of that squad in recuperating, ultimately he risks the lives of his other soldiers that eventually need to be sent out to rescue them and has to request a helicopter from his commanding officer. I do not think they should have gone at all because the beach was not secure and there was no way of ensuring safety for his men swimming in the ocean. I am not surpised by the lack of consequences for his actions due to the context of the situation, however I think it would be very interesting to see the viewpoint of a soldier in the platoon and their evaluation of their leader’s decision.
It is more striking to me the second time the statement “They aren’t gooks, they’re Soldiers just like you and me” is made because this second instance shows how LT McDonough internalized what Killigan had imparted on him. Also, LT McDonough repeats this statement to his CO after he discovers his medic shot and killed VC point blank. His chilling discovery of unethical behavior by one of his men is particularly meaningful because earlier he had lost his own composure when yelling at a Vietnamese soldier for information when Killigan reminded him “they’re just like you and me.” LT McDonough remarks this moment revealed the “fragile superiority of is own leadership.” LT McDonough’s leadership is fragile in this moment because he allowed emotions and stress to cloud his decision making. As we spoke about last class the pressure of timelines, superiors demanding immediate results, and combat challenges leaders. Yet, LT McDonough makes a positive improvement in internalizing what Killigan said to him, therefore enabling himself to better handle future compromising situations.
My initial impression of CPT Moray is he is too ready to relinquish control without first establishing his own authority. LT McDonough describes CPT Moray as timid and easily takes control of the mission. While we have studied the merits of a relinquishing approach when a person or team is highly motivated (like LT McDonough), ultimately CPT Moray lacks authority over the mission. Additionally, the fact that LT McDonough’s perceives CPT Moray’s reluctance to put himself in harm’s way is extremely detrimental to the trust between them.