Professional Soldiers ® - LEADERSHIP AND TRAINING FOR THE FIGHT

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LEADERSHIP AND TRAINING FOR THE FIGHT

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If anyone has or does read this, I would be interested in hearing your thoughts.

NDD - TR should be along shortly. I don't know that he's read the book but he did spend some time with the author and had favorable comments to me. I might get it myself - I liked the "dry" humor of the snippet in the review and the problem he discusses is real. Later - P.

OK, I am a FOG, thus poor memory, but didn't he marry Charlie Beckwith's daughter? I shall read his book.

I may be thinking of someone else.

Terry

Paul is a friend of mine, but I have not read the book.

I will have to put it on my list.

TR

I've just finished the book, Leadership and Training for the Fight -- A Few Thoughts on Leadership and Training from a fomer special operations soldier

By MSG. Paul R. Howe (USA RET.)

The work is focused on leadership, within the context of combat. Being that I'm not qualified to speak to the contextual aspects, I'll refrain from commenting on those points.

However, I'll quickly comment on the book's organization and the author's craft.

The book is very well organized with each chapter following an outline of; chapter overview, anecdotal illustration, analysis of leadership principles, and goals for the reader. Leadership is discussed in theory, application, and personality. Leadership is examined from individual, selection, team, and larger organizational perspectives.

I found the personality discussion most useful, for Howe speaks to current social trends, and how those trends have perpetuated "false leadership".

Below is an excerpt, that demonstrates the efficient and direct prose of the author:

Quote:

First, I didn’t go into life wanting to be a leader. This may sound
counterproductive. As I gained experience, I learned that I must have
an attitude of trying to do the best job at the task at hand instead of
constantly wanting to be promoted or aspiring to be a leader. I found
that leadership challenges will eventually come. Some uninformed
parents have the most problem with this idea. They feel that their little
Johnny would make a natural leader. Most parents have not been
around great leaders and would not know a good leader if they were
smacked by one.

I suggest that students start by jotting down the good and bad points
of leaders they respect and detest and use them as lessons or guidelines
in their leadership challenges. Mark down arrogance, excessive pride,
laziness as key bad or counterproductive points to be avoided. Leave
your ego behind on this journey and ratchet up the personal controlled
aggressiveness. You can be aggressive and still be polite. You can be
well mannered and not piss off or be a threat to those above, below or
on your level.

I found the book well written, organized and presented. The author states that there will be revised editions, as He polishes his work. I look forward to Howe's future editions.

-Seth

I too picked this up a few days ago (in pdf format). I'm about 1/4 into it and what I have read is very impressive and flows very well. Additionally, it is also a very easy and fast read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is or wants to be a goodsupervisor or leader in our society.

I'm impressed so far. Should be required reading for Sluggos.

This is a really good book. A lot of things we take for granted.

I wonder what Osama Bin Mama is going to say about The Kid reading it...

My copy just arrived. Not sure when I'll get to it, but I will post some thoughts once I do.

VIRTUS INTENSIO

I finished a little while ago. Damn good book, yes there are some gramatical errors but so what, the knowledge and insight offered are invaluable. I am going to pick up the hard cover just so I can hi-light it.

I wonder if Mr. Howe would give me a group discount I would love to give this book to everyone in my COC.

If you are a leader in ANY capacity I think this should be MANDATORY reading before you ever give an order.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin Joe

VIRTUS INTENSIO

Damn good book, yes there are some gramatical errors but so what, the knowledge and insight offered are invaluable.

If you are a leader in ANY capacity I think this should be MANDATORY reading before you ever give an order.

I concur. Outstanding book and I commend you MSG Howe for your work! It will carry forward in my AO I promise you!

Quote:

The same thought process can be said for non combatants rushing to a gunfight. They are not coming for some social purpose, but rather to aid the enemy and they should be considered a threat. I have witnessed them bringing ammunition to enemy positions, spot and direct fire for enemy gunners and haul enemy wounded away. In all these cases, under proper ROE, they have lost their “civilian” status and are actively aiding the enemy. Further, if they are not running away from the battle, they are keeping bad company. Once again, these individuals have forsaken their civilian status and should be considered a combatant.

I have to get my hands on this book. I've heard this very mindset first time from another warrior:
http://multimedia.realcities.com:808...wk/DELETHIC.rm

It's an old site, but if you never read it before, it is a better account IMHO than the movie and History Channel presentation
http://inquirer.philly.com/packages/.../default16.asp

Master Sergeant Timothy "Griz" Martin. My hero and inspiration for the tip of the spear warriors. Rest in peace, you will never be forgotten Sir.

I'll have to give this one a whirl. I recently read "Equal or greater force" by Kit Cessna. Kit served with Paul Howe and MSG Howe reccomends his book on his website. I have read it three times and each time I have come away with more than I did the first.

Best of all it costs a whopping $3.95 to electronically download it from his publisher.

http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore...x?bookid=27951

Quote:

Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc

... Should be required reading for Sluggos.

And as such I am ordering one. I will read it when I need down time between class and study group.

Crip

Quote:

Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc

I'm impressed so far. Should be required reading for Sluggos.

Concur. I e-mailed Mr. Howe after a lengthy discussion with my CO (who borrowed the book from me) about some of his points. He took the time to e-mail me back to "validate" our discussion.