This book will pursue an honest and frank discussion of leadership and training that is applicable to the military, law enforcement and the business world. It provides accounts of leadership successes and failures under the most severe conditions…. More >>
#1 by T.B. Oliver on April 12, 2010 - 10:25 pm
More like “Leadership (sort of) and Complaining for the Fight: The World’s Problems According to a Former Special Operations Soldier”
The beginning is very promising, with the explanation of the “OODA loop” and a general view of how combat works, and more importantly how it is won. Unfortunately, this barely lasts to the end of the first chapter before it devolves into one long and relentless rant that continues until you finally trudge through to the last page.
Basically the author takes every opportunity possible to lash out at everything he finds to be a problem in the world today, from the current structure of the American military to the general activities of our nation’s youth (or at least what he believes are the general activities of the American youth). “Too many times” probably appears in the book fifty times, if not in exact wording then with a similar statement such as “All too often,” or “We as Americans.”
He makes countless derisive comments about the division of officers and enlisted men, most notably “Who would you rather have lead you into combat? The guy with 4 years experience or the guy with 4 years of college?” and shows a complete lack of understanding of the actual legitimate reasons behind this ancient military tradition of class divisions that is close to embarrassing.
He also makes his attitude concerning religion very clear, and in a narrative describes a commanding officer who is upset at the troops’ rowdiness after a successful mission and tells them to relax, as there are people out there who lost their loved ones that night. The author does not say so directly, but implies his disgust with this sentiment, and attributes his officer’s statement to his being a former chaplain, and letting his religion “get in the way.” At another point in the book, he brings up with similar implied disgust, the account of an officer who held church sessions at the base on Sundays. Apparently this is a horrid crime against humanity. What makes the whole situation even more ridiculous is in one of his narratives, he retells that his team arrested two men in a village who had used their children as shields when the soldiers entered the room. He never specifically mentions any other villagers are arrested, but makes it extremely clear how angry he was at the two fathers and their most repulsive behavior. He justifies his hypocrisy of letting his own values influence the mission by saying that the two men turned out to be high-ranking enemy militiamen, as if saying “But they were bad anyway, so it’s ok.”
Chapter 3 starts off basically as a figurative spanking of all the terribly selfish and unethical things the American youth allegedly do, all while maintaining the general arrogant tone found throughout the rest of the book, and ending with a smug “You’re welcome.” He attacks the general literacy of these same kids in at least one other place, which is laughable considering the pervasive grammatical and spelling errors found throughout the book because he refused to have it proofread. So what does any of this have to do with leadership and training? Good question… I wondered that myself, maybe he should have emphasized the “Few” word in the subtitle.
I will admit that when purchasing this book, I assumed there would be portions of the “training” sections I would not understand, and I was ok with that. I was however hoping to be able to count more than two useful things I learned from the book, and sadly I cannot. The OODA loop was #1, and #2 is a short tip on when training with simunitions, to never allow the trainees to “die” when hit, as this will encourage the “shut-down” attitude in the field when they are really hit. Of course, even this was degraded slightly from its full potential because it was immediately followed by another “Too many times” statement.
He states in the foreword not to “Trip over dollar bills to pick up pennies.” and perhaps that is exactly what I am doing now. Maybe I’m too uppity about this, and if you are confident that you’re extremely tolerant, perhaps you will get more out of this book than I did. Even yet, I would recommend countless other books on this similar subject before I even mention this one.
Perhaps I should answer that question of his I mentioned earlier. “Who would you rather have lead you into combat? The guy with 4 years experience or the guy with 4 years of college?” I will answer the guy with 4 years experience, but I have a more relevant question: Who’s book would you rather read? The one written by the guy with 4 years experience or the guy with 4 years of college? Do yourself a favor and choose the latter.
Rating: 1 / 5
#2 by braxen on April 12, 2010 - 10:34 pm
Paul Howe offers an incredible insight (and first hand account) of what he thinks took him to be a US special force operator.
The book is a bit rough of the edges but it takes its reader to a unique journey inside his mind and beliefs. From this perspective, the book is interesting albeit in a sort of detached anthropological way.
While I can relate and put into context what the author says I wish more perspective were introduced rather than trying to make a mix of formalization, personal values, rants and fights accounts.
Mr Howe blunts into your face with a binary “smoothness” how you need to brainwash yourself to be a proper fighting machine. This book may very well be of interest to the younger kids to learn from the experience of an old fighter, however the message may just pass through a more mature audience with more nuanced expectations.
I wish Mr Howe had indeed taken the advice of an editor or someone better versed in writing to introduce some perspective rather than preaching in a SOP format who and what a SF warrior should be. If you need to become a combatant a bit above the average this book may give you some insights.
As a military buff, I give it 3 stars, I hope that Howe will write another book in 15 years with more distance to his topic.
Rating: 3 / 5
#3 by Tactical Tradecraft on April 12, 2010 - 10:48 pm
This book should be required reading for anyone who is a law enforcement or military trainer. There is an abundance of useful and relevant information that is presented in a very articulate manner. Howe provides specific examples of leadership and then pertains them to the training environment. These stories show, in detail, how important leadership is to the individuals you train and the people under your command.
Each chapter begins with a story related to the chapter title. After the story there is After Action Comments section to discuss important points to: 1. sustain and 2. improve the operation. The rest of the chapter does into specific details on each subject matter using clear language along with relevant stories.
Topics discussed in this excellent book include: OODA Loop, combat mindset, individual leadership, selection, team leadership, organizational leadership, combat leadership, training for the fight, leadership planning, teaching leadership, counseling and mentorship and realities of combat & tactical tips.
If you are a trainer this book needs to be added to your library! If you want to be a better trainer, and you should, you need this book.
Rating: 5 / 5
#4 by Patrick T. Davis on April 12, 2010 - 11:27 pm
Good read. I especially liked the “stories” of previous missions or encounters before each section. A lot of his thoughts and suggestions, to me, seem to be common sense. But after being in the desert myself, clearly its uncommon sense.
Worth multiple reads, if not a study.
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by R. Julian on April 13, 2010 - 12:24 am
I loved this book. It was an excellent read on how to train and prepare for combat. This was a well written and informative. It should be required reading for every military and Law enforcement leader.
Rating: 5 / 5