I think LT McDonough’s frustration with the other Platoon Leaders in his company is warranted. While LT McDonough went off on his own to find the six men lost during their night link up, LT Smalley and his RTO were sleeping, putting both groups of men at extreme risk. Although LT McDonough “barely controlled his rage,” he did not compromise the…[Read more]

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…[Read more]

I think LT McDonough’s decision to transfer his PSG Hernandez was the correct decision because ultimately allowing Hernandez to continue on with immoral behavior would be tolerating potentially toxic behavior that would threaten the entire platoon. LT McDonough displays moral courage in transferring PSG Hernandez because although he runs the risk…[Read more]

I think LT McDonough resolves conflicts appropriately, particularly due the dire circumstances he finds himself in. When PFC King fires his m79 Grenade launcher at LT McDonough on patrol, in reaction to LT McDonough burning his marijuana and reprimanding his disrespectful behavior, LT McDonough remains aware of the big picture. While initially…[Read more]

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…[Read more]

In LT McDonough’s early days in Vietnam he encounters other soldiers that depict the varied experience of war. LT McDonough states that the roads that lead young men to war are not political or national, but individual in nature(8). It becomes increasingly clear through LT McDonough’s early interactions that the motivations and individual…[Read more]

I think professional reading is integral to self development for many reasons, but above all I think the introspective nature of reading has many benefits in gaining perspective and self development. As we discussed in class the very act of reading and writing requires a more intense focus of the brain and develops a greater synthesis of…[Read more]

I think professional reading is integral to self development for many reasons, but above all I think the introspective nature of reading has many benefits in gaining perspective and self development. As we discussed in class the very act of reading and writing requires a more intense focus of the brain and develops a greater synthesis of…[Read more]