Which book (fiction/non-fiction) changed your view of the military the most?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 08:45:06 -0400

Directly from the recommended reading list, the book Starship Troopers (one of my favorite sit-back-and-watch movies of all times) changed my perspective on the military greatly. This book if you have not had the opportunity to pick up is similar to the movie however sheds many a light on a lot of common topics/complaints/procedures you see today. This is a great fiction novel to add to your collection.

What books have you read that have affected your views on the military?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2014 8:55 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 20:55:47 -0400

SIR, this is definately an excellent read. I myself am a big fan and learned a great deal from it. I re-read the book a few weeks ago. I talked with some of my Troops about the book as well and it has been an assignment of theirs to read it. No negative comments from them about it, and I have seen a change in their conduct. The "special case" Troops have become more receptive of advice and direction I give and the other Troops have become more motivated by it. My platoon has grown together in this experience and have gained a better respect for the Army and the everyday Army life.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 12 at 2014 4:29 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 16:29:50 -0400

"We Were Soldiers Once and Young" Great read, great lessons, but really put Vietnam in perspective for me. Similarly, "Blackhawk Down" for the modern era, another great read and focus on perspective.

Response by SSgt Lucas Dyer M.S. made Nov 14 at 2014 4:26 PM

SSgt Lucas Dyer M.S. — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 16:26:52 -0500

A Battle Won by Handshakes: The Story of Alpha Company 1/5. Most of us think that Marine Corps infantry units go into these countries and utilize attrition warfare with large amounts of destruction. However this particular unit, ACo1/5 out of Camp Pendleton, CA combined this style of fighting with Counterinsurgency (COIN) and was very successful at it. It will change anyone's view of how a well trained small unit level Squad can have positive strategic outcomes in combat, and it's not always about destruction.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2014 1:44 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 13:44:58 -0500

Sir, I would have to say "Blackhearts, One Platoon's Decent into Madness" has. One of my SGLs recommended the book to the class at WLC. Was definitely worth the money I spent on it. And has helped shape my view of what leadership is and isn't, as much as, or more than my personal experiences.

http://usacac.army.mil/CAC2/MilitaryReview/Archives/English/MilitaryReview_20100630_art017.pdf

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2014 1:51 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 13:51:47 -0500

Enders Game gave the young teenage me a lot to think about pertaining to leadership and moral choices in combat.

That said, I've got to say something about your description of the Starship Troopers movie. It bears very little resemblance to the book it's supposedly based on. They share a title, arachnoid enemies, and the names of certain key protagonists. Otherwise they couldn't be more different, with the book being VASTLY superior.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2014 10:44 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 10:44:23 -0500

The book I read helped me to understand my leadership and learn to submit when I need to and speak up when I need to is "The 48 Laws of Power"... Great Read!

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Mar 14 at 2015 9:52 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 09:52:58 -0400

Might sound strange for a second but bare with me. Herodotus' Histories. The first great work of historical writing, and from it I realized that soldiers are soldiers regardless of the age and the biggest difference is the toys and tools we surround ourselves with. Every age has their elite soldiers, but we are all mortal and have to decided at some point what is worth dying for.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Mar 14 at 2015 2:22 PM

1LT William Clardy — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 14:22:14 -0400

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member, I have read "Starship Troopers" many times over the years, but I've long considered the movies to have nothing more than a title and some characters' names in common with the book.

That said, if you found the book at all thought-provoking, I recommend you try reading "West of Honor" by Jerry Pournelle (you, too, SFC Private RallyPoint Member). Between "West of Honor" and reading Pournelle's story about John Christian Falkenberg's campaign on New Washington (originally published as a 2-part serial in Analog magazine a few years before "West of Honor"), I had some very strong and very pragmatic impressions about what roles the military can fulfill.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2015 1:11 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 13:11:12 -0400

Catch-22 taught me all I needed to know about how staffs make decisions.

Response by PO1 Dustin Adams made Mar 16 at 2015 1:48 PM

PO1 Dustin Adams — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 13:48:04 -0400

Pre-Military:
Force Recon Diary, 1969
Force Recon Diary, 1970
Men in Green Faces (fiction)
Marine Sniper
Combat Medic - Vietnam

During Service:
God Saw Them Through: Semper Fi - America's Battalion in Iraq
Black Hawk Down
Lone Survivor

There are many more but these are probably the ones with the biggest impact for me.

Response by Cpl Mark McMiller made Mar 16 at 2015 11:48 PM

Cpl Mark McMiller — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 23:48:12 -0400

Battle Cry by Leon Uris made me want to be a Marine.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 9:56 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 09:56:24 -0400

My father has a copy of star ship troopers from 1952. I took it with me to basic training. During a barracks inspection the 1SG found it and passed it to my DS. I thought I was toast. They asked me a few questions about it, the 1SG took it back, placed in my wall locker and said, "looks like a religious item," and walked away.

Response by SSG William Patton made Mar 18 at 2015 11:45 AM

SSG William Patton — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 11:45:59 -0400

When I was in high school I read the WWII novel, Battle Cry, by Leon Uris. I was in my senior year and recruiters were already after those of us who were graduating. I spoke with a Marine Corps recruiter and was ready to join, but at 17 I had to have my parents permission and my mother had a fit when I approached the subject. Two months later I had turned 18 and had been lured by an Army recruiter to become a helicopter pilot. Battle Cry influenced my decision to join the military because it illustrated the brotherhood and patriotism I was looking for. Needless to say, I did not become a helicopter pilot because of color blindness. I found what I was looking for in the Army, but will say, Uris painted a much more glamorous picture of war than the reality of it that many of us experienced.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 9 at 2015 2:11 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 09 May 2015 14:11:47 -0400

A book about insurgencies, and a British essay on counterinsurgencies.

Response by SGT David T. made May 15 at 2015 12:14 PM

SGT David T. — Fri, 15 May 2015 12:14:43 -0400

Clausewitz's On War is probably the most influential to me. If you look passed the tactical side of the concepts specific to his age, we see common things in all wars and militaries. Understanding what war is makes a big difference in how we support it and fight it. I am talking about the whole picture not just the fighting. Definitely a good read.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made May 15 at 2015 12:24 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Fri, 15 May 2015 12:24:37 -0400

Fiction:
Red Storm Rising by Clancy
Armor by Jeff Steakley (sci-fi)
Starship Troopers
Ender's Game

Non-fiction
A million Vietnam memoirs
On Killing by LTC Dave Grossman

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Apr 22 at 2016 4:54 PM

SFC Marcus Belt — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 16:54:09 -0400

"Death Ground" by (then) LTC Daniel Bolger. It is a collection of case studies in small unit combat from Post Gulf War I to just before 9/11.

"We Were Soldiers Once, and Young" [Insert comment about book being way better than the movie].

"Black Hawk Down" This book provided most of the momentum to enlist.

And almost anything by Stephen Ambrose.