Posted on Jun 5, 2015
SGT Platoon Medic
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As a NCO or Officer can you recommend anything non-MOS related for lower enlisted soldiers to study or read over? All topics are welcomed.
Posted in these groups: Pd1 Professional DevelopmentEnlisted logo Enlisted
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Responses: 61
SGT William Howell
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The Bear Went Over the Mountain, Great book on the USSR's attempt to take over Afghanistan.

Starship Troopers, Great read and required reading at West Point.

On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society, Dave Grossman's best book ever about what we are trained to do as a military organization.

MAJ Ron Peery beat me to it. The Constitution and Bill of Rights. I would take it one step further...The UCMJ, as it governs how we conduct business.
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SGT William Howell
SGT William Howell
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I'll be at the book store at lunch.
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How to win friends and influence people  by Dale Carnegie

Lincoln on Leadership.....Abraham Lincoln  

7 Habits of Highly Effective People......Steven Covey

You Might Be A Redneck If.........  ...Jeff Foxworthy
MAJ Ron Peery
MAJ Ron Peery
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SGT Howell, you can order it on line from Grossmans website...http://www.killology.com
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SGT William Howell
SGT William Howell
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Thank you, sir.
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SSG Sean Thoman
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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by the late Stephen R Covey. ISBN; 13: 978-0-7432-6951-3. Simon & Shuster. It is a gem that will help you in life both professionally and in your private life. It will make you a better listener, a better human, and a better leader, plus expand your vision.
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SSG Sean Thoman
SSG Sean Thoman
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You can youtube it also.
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SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA
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Start with any of the English Lit Classics, your local library will point you. (nothing beats a good foundation into great writing and expanding your vocabulary)
Any World History Book.
Grab at least one Isaac Asimov book, your choice.
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SSG Sean Thoman
SSG Sean Thoman
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Funny you mentioned that, I was asked by Commanding Officer (not mentioning any names on this one) how did I get them to do that? Tom Sawyer...Mark Twain was my answer. The look I got and a CSM shaking his head as in wtfo?
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1LT William Clardy
1LT William Clardy
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SSG Sean Thoman, they obviously did not understand the skill and artistry required to properly whitewash a fence....
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SSG (ret) William Martin
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http://www.amazon.com/Art-War-Sun-Tzu/dp/ [login to see] /ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=1-1&keywords=sun+tzu
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PO2 Disabled Veteran Outreach Program
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Book of the Five Rings by Miamoto Musashi.
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SSG Intelligence Analyst
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I'm also going to add "Starship Troopers" to any potential list-- that's a good one.
Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" is probably another one worth looking at-- that's been recommended by people here a lot too, I see.

I'd also add George Orwell's "1984" to the list because no matter what, at some level, you'll have to deal with the politics of a decision and how it plays out at a junior enlisted person's level. Seeing how everyday perceptions are steered by language or "choosing what to see/hear" can be insightful.

"Armor" by John Steakley can be good-- some people consider it "Starship Troopers-lite" but it is a good reflection of the mindset of a grunt in difficult situations.

For history, "1812" is good because while in 1776 we forged independence, in 1812 we really started to gel the modern nation as it is reflected today.

I'd add a video documentary to the list if that's allowable: Ken Burns's "The Civil War".
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SGT Platoon Medic
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Thanks for your input SSG. I actually just finished up "1984" last night. That isn't the type of book I normally can get into but I loved it.
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SFC Home Inspector
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"Armor" by John Steakley

More applicable today than when I read it years ago. One deployment after another after another....
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LTC Bink Romanick
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Starship troopers by Heinlein, To Hell and Back by Audie Murphy, We Were Soldiers Once and Young by Moore, Follow Me by alone , Infantry Attacks by Rommel. That should keep you busy for awhile.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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If you go to "Books" sub-directory, each of the Services Professional Reading lists is linked, however.

Anything by R. A. Heinlein. He's most notable for Starship troopers, but he's got a wealth of other books, and is worth reading.

Every week or so, I also pop up a thread called "RP Book Club - " which can be found via the search bar.

That said, I recommend reading constantly. Anything and everything you can get your hands on. Doesn't matter what. You should always have a few books in rotation. Whether it is fiction, non-fiction, historical, PME, etc. If you aren't good with non-fiction, find a fiction that ties into the subject you want to study, and read that to get a feel for it. The beauty of the modern age.

Kindles & E-Books are relatively cheep, and store thousands of books, so there is no excuse not to have a book ready to read.
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PO3 David Fries
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I can't really add anything to this list. I have seen my two top picks ( Starship Troopers and Art of War), plus the best ideas, which is to find the recommended reading lists for your branch.

That aside, pick up something you like to read. It is good to escape into your own brain sometimes.
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CPT Bruce Rodgers
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Cigars, Whiskey and Winning: Leadership Lessons from General Ulysses S. Grant
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