Platoon Leader

A remarkable memoir of small-unit leadership and the coming of age of a young soldier in combat in Vietnam.' "Using a lean style and a sense of pacing drawn from the tautest of novels, McDonough has produced a gripping account of his first command, a U.S. platoon taking part in the 'strategic hamlet' program. . . . Rather than present a potpourri of combat yarns. . . McDonough has focused a seasoned storyteller’s eye on the details, people, and incidents that best communicate a visceral feel of command under fire. . . . For the author’s honesty and literary craftsmanship, Platoon Leader seems destined to be read for a long time by second lieutenants trying to prepare for the future, veterans trying to remember the past, and civilians trying to understand what the profession of arms is all about.”–Army Times

A Platoon Leaders Tour (The PL Book): This book is an on-the-ground view of U.S. Army combat in Iraq sourced from in-country interviews of this generation's Platoon Leaders from 2003-2008. The combat vignettes of former Platoon Leaders flow along the arc of a typical 12-month tour in Iraq. The authors selected stories that reflect the common challenges of young combat leaders, including: -Taking Charge -Making First Contact with the Enemy -Engaging the Local Populace -Interacting with Indigenous Forces -Use of Force -Operating in a Complex/Chaotic Environment -Facing Personnel Challenges -Making Moral/Ethical Decisions -Leading in Battle -Dealing with Death -Sustaining the Will to Fight -Leading Emotionally-Charged Soldiers -Adapting to Unfamiliar/Non-Standard Missions The book was developed by the U.S. Armys Center for Company-level Leaders at West Point in conjunction with the U.S. Army Studies Program and U.S. Army Research Institute. Interviews, writing, and editing of the stories was conducted by Pete Kilner, Nate Allen, Nate Self, and Anthony Lupo.

Dennis Scheer was commissioned in the summer of 1969 as a second lieutenant in the US Army through the University of Wyoming ROTC program. He moved to Fort Knox, Kentucky, following in the footsteps of his older brother—down a path that almost got him killed. When he arrived in Vietnam, he was assigned to an infantry unit near Chu Lai. Midway through his tour, he was reassigned to a cavalry troop. Having fought with two combat arms, his experiences in the war were unique. Lt. Scheer was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor and a Silver Star, the third highest military decoration for valor, for his service in the infantry. He was awarded another Bronze Star with Valor while serving in the cavalry. After returning home from the war, like most veterans, he experienced a series of emotional ups and downs. Now, in his memoir, he recalls the events of that period of his life honestly, from combat to adjusting to life as a veteran.

The platoon leader and platoon sergeant are two of the most important leaders in the U.S. Army. The way platoon leaders and sergeants work together as a team can cause the success or failure of companies, battalions, brigades, and divisions. They represent the leading edge of leadership on and off the battlefield. On the battlefield, platoon leaders and sergeants build their platoons, empower squad leaders, integrate outside elements, and use troop-leading procedures to plan and lead. Off the battlefield, platoon leaders and sergeants prepare their platoon for combat through tough training. The platoon leader and platoon sergeant's ability to coach, teach, and mentor their Soldiers leads directly to the readiness of our formations. World-wide, platoon leaders and sergeants are personally leading the U.S. Army at the lowest level. This handbook is a guide for new leaders to help prepare them for a critical crucible of leadership that will determine the U.S. Army's ability to fight and win our country's wars.

"The ultimate criterion of Army light infantry unit readiness is its performance in combat. A second criterion is the unit's readiness in peacekeeping missions. A close representation of requirements for peacekeeping is reflected in the unit's effectiveness in home station. A modified military version of the Multifactor leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) was used to profile the individual leadership style of platoon leaders (PLs) and platoon sergeants (PSGs). The Team Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (TMLQ) was used to describe the platoon and company culture. Results for the MLQ were in line with expectations derived from Bass and Avolio's full range model of leadership. If leaders, particularly Pls, were transformational according to their superiors, peers, and subordinates, their platoons were seen by raters in home station as more effective both in home station and in simulated combat arenas. The most accurate predictions were made by the company cadres; the least accurate were made by the platoon members. Overall, the level of transformational leadership exhibited by platoon leaders in garrison predicted performance at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC). Similarly the platoon sergeant's transformational leadership also predicted performance at JRTC."--DTIC.

Over 320 total pages ... General (1) There are 12 recognized Armor Regiments and 24 Cavalry Regiments in the Regimental system for the active Armor force. These numbers include one Armor and two Cavalry Regiments for the training base at the United States Army Armor School (See Appendix A-1). (2) There are six recognized Armor Regiments and 32 Cavalry Regiments in the Regimental system for the Army National Guard (See Appendix A-2). (3) The lowest numbered CONUS-based battalion of the regiment will be designated regimental home-base having regimental responsibility and will maintain the regimental colors and memorabilia. When all battalions are OCONUS, the lowest numbered OCONUS battalion or squadron assumes regimental responsibility and maintains regimental colors and memorabilia (See Appendix A). Exceptions to the home-base battalion concept are 2CR, 3CR, and 11 ACR; Regimental HQs will assume regimental responsibility.