jchiggin

  • jchiggin replied to the topic Chapter 21-23, Epilouge in the forum Syracuse ROTC 6 years ago

    Leadership must be positive. Throughout this book LT McDonough and his platoon have been through much tragedy, stress, loss and heartbreak. Their lives have been thrown into the woods and war. In order to win the day and to ultimately win the war the soldiers spirit and morale must be maintained at a high level. Soldiers will feed off of their…[Read more]

  • jchiggin replied to the topic Chapter 17-20 in the forum Syracuse ROTC 6 years ago

    I believe LT McDonough did the right thing in sending part of the platoon to the beach. I do not believe he made the correct decision in not going. This was a different type of plan and he was putting the lives of his soldiers in the hands of others during a different mission. He needed to be there to ensure his orders were followed and see how…[Read more]

  • jchiggin replied to the topic Chapter 13-16 in the forum Syracuse ROTC 6 years, 1 month ago

    I believe the transfer of SGT Hernandez was the correct decision. There is definite risk with removing a seasoned PSG from the platoon and someone who the platoon is familiar with.  The fact that they are in a combat situation makes it even more risky. The PSG knows how the platoon will react and what decisions need to be made. But like any…[Read more]

  • jchiggin replied to the topic Chapter 9-12 in the forum Syracuse ROTC 6 years, 1 month ago

    I agree with LT McDonough’s remarks on decision making and how there is usually no turning back once the decision has been made. In combat a platoon leader must make decisions that can make or break a situation. I would imagine that the majority of decisions made in a fire fight come down to training and instinct.  A person does not have much…[Read more]

  • jchiggin replied to the topic Chapter 5-8 in the forum Syracuse ROTC 6 years, 1 month ago

    When LT McDonough enters his platoon for the first time he does so with a purpose. He needs to understand the dynamic of how the platoon is operating and what the status is of the area he is assigned to. When he meets the outgoing PL for the first time he gets the feeling that his own leadership will be much different from what had previously been…[Read more]

  • jchiggin replied to the topic Chapter 1-4 in the forum Syracuse ROTC 6 years, 1 month ago

    <p class=”MsoNormal” style=”margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-indent: .5in;”>Before arriving in Vietnam, LT McDonough is filled with motivation and eagerness. He is motivated to lead and eager to fight his war. The training our military provides its soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines injects them with that eagerness and motivation. This is not to…[Read more]

  • Professional reading provides an individual with vast amounts of information on whatever topics they find interesting. In the case of professional reading I believe we are trying to minimize the same mistakes that others have already made and put to use ways in which others have been successful. We are not always going to find the perfect answer…[Read more]

  • Higgins became a registered member 6 years, 5 months ago

  • jchiggin became a registered member 6 years, 5 months ago