Last Assignment

One of the things that I like the most was the optimism of Rescorla.  The optimism and confidence that he displayed on the battlefield was a real example of transformational leadership.  This traits that he had he used always to try to bring up everyone's spirits.

Another thing that I liked was Moore's constant refusal of giving up.  He would refuse to leave the battlefield and he would try to ensure that every man was brought back dead or alive.  This could also provide comfort for the men around him and so they would do better in battle.

Another thing that I like was Crandall's commitment to helping Moore's operation.  He worked so hard that when he tried to get out of the Huey his legs gave out from exhaustion.  This just shows the tenacity he had. 

Assignment 6

Here again was another instance of certain people never giving up and never accepting defeat.  In this case it was during mortar fire. They still continue.  Another thing that was interesting was one of the officers placing the mission first remember he still had to set up a perimeter even though it was hectic.  Also with the never quiting thing it seems like when people show that determination that the people around them also get some bit of courage too.

Assignment 5

Most of the leadership is more of just giving directions to the soldiers at not really monitoring them too much because a lot of them know what they have to do when they are given such an order.  Most of them have high ability because the have been trained for a while and they have high motivation because they are fighting to stay alive.  However, most of Moore's leadership style has to be transformational because he really isnt giving his men like rewards or punishment.  One way that he probably inspired his men was the fact that he joined them on the battlefield so the soldiers felt like he knew what they were going through.  In combat situations mostly though the leadership style is more of just giving orders that should be followed.  In battle most of the time quick decisions have to be made.

Assignment 4

One instance where the warrior ethos was portrayed was when one of the squads were pinned down and couldnt move so Moore had to send in men after them to help them out.  That would be never leaving a fallen comrade.  Another example of this is when one of the officers died and another person went back to retrieve his body.  Another time the warrior ethos was portrayed was just the whole battle.  They never quit even though they kept on getting fired upon all around.  To me the warrior ethos are the basic guidelines that every soldier should follow.  I think that we do need them because I feel that if we all share these same goals, or whatever, we will be more cohesive as a whole.  Plus it is nice kind of know what your buddy next to you is going to do in certain situations.

Assignment 3

Well I am not really sure who goes with what, but I do remember many instances where other platoons and also other companies attempting to cover the other's flanks and in one instance it wasnt much time after that if they hadnt done that then the other unit might have been over taken.  From what I remember it seemed more like the decision making was more defensive and really the only strategies that were employed were to have the units that were still coming in from the helicopters to go and aid the other forces that were already on the ground.  One good decision that was made was to set up a defensive area on the creek bed because he felt that was an opening that could be easily flanked.

Assignment 2

The scope of LTC Moore's concerns when leading always seems to be in the safety of his men and on gathering intelligence on the enemy and on the terrain.  He is always making a constant effort to make sure that his plans will work in the most effective way possible given the terrain and the troops that he has.  From all the information, he comes up with a plan giving objective to certain companies and patrols and giving timelines for when he wants them completed.  The duty of the subordinates leaders are to take those objectives and time frames and formulate plans of their own to accomplished their assigned tasks.  They too are also concerned with the welfare of their troops as well.  Most of this is observed in this section of the reading when they land on LZ X-Ray.  

Assignment 1

There are many things that are required of a leader to properly prepare his/her troops for battle but the main one I think that has kind of be stressed is the importance of continuous drills.  In the book, they did drills upon drills until certain actions just became second nature to the soldiers.  Also another important thing that was illustrated in the book is that the duties were passed down the line during training so if by chance the leader died then the person below would be able to fill the position.  Another thing that is important thing for a leader to possess is the knowledge of the terrain.  Without such knowledge then the leader would not be able to train his/her soldiers properly.