Do you have any recommended reading for Junior Enlisted personnel?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 00:52:24 -0400

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.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 5 at 2015 1:01 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 01:01:38 -0400

PFC Anthony Laymon, what sort of reading interests you?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 1:07 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 01:07:15 -0400

Skill level 1 handbook.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 1:15 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 01:15:07 -0400

http://www.history.army.mil/html/books/105/105-1-1/index.html

The U.S. Army Chief of Staff's Professional Reading List | Center of Military History

The U.S. Army Chief of Staff's Professional Reading List

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Jun 5 at 2015 1:15 AM

MAJ Ron Peery — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 01:15:09 -0400

Man, that's a tall order.

If you haven't already done so, start by reading the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. That's what you have sworn to defend, so you need to know what's in there.

In general, I recommend reading any military history you can get your hands on. Especially books or articles written by people who were there. Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War is a good start. Maybe Sun Tzu and Clauswitz. Be warned.....Clauswitz is a difficult read because translators are seldom good writers.

There are a lot of good books written by soldiers who are Iraq and Afghanistan vets. Read them.

Read any and every FM you can get your hands on.

If you can stand it, you might read books on psychology, both for its value as a leadership tool and as a weapon against the enemy. War is a thing of the mind. I particularly recommend Grossman's "On Killing" and any of his other works in the relatively new field of "killology."

Science fiction! A lot of the best SciFi writers seem to have a pretty good handle on conflict, and their stuff is interesting.

If you are looking for specific books to read, contact me offline. I will try to put together a list of stuff I have in my library.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 1:15 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 01:15:38 -0400

The Federalist Papers

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 5 at 2015 1:16 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 01:16:17 -0400

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

Amazon.com: The Art Of War (9781599869773): Sun Tzu: Books

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 1:37 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 01:37:23 -0400

The Soldiers Guide (FM 7-21.13) and The Noncommissioned Officer Guide (FM 7-22.7). Both will provide a straightforward background on their duties as a a member of a team, but also building them up for the next step as an NCO.

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Jun 5 at 2015 1:53 AM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 01:53:54 -0400

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.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 5 at 2015 2:01 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 02:01:10 -0400

Starship Troopers Robert Heinlein. Also Google before you read it: Goldwater-Nichols Act, USMC 1956 Ribbon Creek Incident, Korean War POW negotiations, post World War II force reductions, tooth to tail, Lewis Millett, Heinlein USN medical discharge, National Security Act of 1947. The book was marketed as adolescent sci fi, but it really is the author's view of what our obligation is to defend our democracy. There are allusions to current events as they were in the late 1950s when he wrote this book.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 2:07 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 02:07:55 -0400

The Sergeant Major of the Army (previous) developed a recommended reading list by ranks. Lower enlistede E-1 through E-4 are covered here. This is the link: http://www.tradoc.army.mil/INCOPD/readinglist.html . If the SMA recommeds it, it should give you a great start!

Institute of NCO Professional DevelopmentSwitch menu

Medal of Honor : one man's journey from poverty and prejudice, Roy P Benavidez, 1574886924, Washington, D.C. : Potomac Books, 2005. Hispanic, part-Yaqui Indian, and an orphan, Benavidez fought his way out of poverty and bigotry to serve with the U.S. Army’s elite—the Airborne and the Special Forces. Seriously wounded in Vietnam, he was told he would never walk again. Benavidez not only conquered his disability but demanded to return to combat....

Response by SSG Lloyd Becker BSBA-HCM, MBA made Jun 5 at 2015 3:14 AM

SSG Lloyd Becker BSBA-HCM, MBA — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 03:14:42 -0400

FM 6-100. Keep asking questions like this and you will be an NCO AND you will like it. Take sub-courses in leadership. There are leadership manuals here and there. If there is a college or university nearby, go to the book store and see what they have in leadership/management books.

Study your Soldiers' Manuals and integrate the leadership you learned. Get ALL the Soldiers' Manuals in your MOS, because being the expert you want to be, these leadership books and manuals will be a help in getting promoted or not.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 3:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 03:16:00 -0400

The three meter target

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Jun 5 at 2015 3:23 AM

CPT Bruce Rodgers — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 03:23:44 -0400

Cigars, Whiskey and Winning: Leadership Lessons from General Ulysses S. Grant

Response by SSG Adam Wyatt made Jun 5 at 2015 5:36 AM

SSG Adam Wyatt — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 05:36:54 -0400

The Ranger Handbook and FM 23-10.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 5:40 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 05:40:58 -0400

Starship Troopers - Robert Heinlein
How to Make Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie

The first one was written by a Navy Officer who served a very long time ago. It really rings true today and you'll see that no matter how things change in the military, they've always been the same.

The second one is incredibly helpful for leadership and cooperation. Especially for understanding how to motivate people so that they will want to follow you. It talks a lot about how certain successful business people were able influence others around them to a common goal, a situation you will face often in the Army.

Response by SSG Sean Thoman made Jun 5 at 2015 6:10 AM

SSG Sean Thoman — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 06:10:10 -0400

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.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 5 at 2015 6:27 AM

PO3 David Fries — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 06:27:41 -0400

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.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 5 at 2015 6:31 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 06:31:38 -0400

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.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 5 at 2015 6:48 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 06:48:05 -0400

"We were Soldiers Once and Young" by LTG Hal Moore and Joe Galloway. Great character study and history of the first major US ground engagement of the Vietnam War.

A biography of a person you admire from any walk of life.

"Infinite Loop" by Michael Malone - Fantastic read about the founding of Apple and a great view of Silicon Valley in it's prime.

"In the Hands of Providence" - bio of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain - great historic piece about the man, the Civil War and the citizen soldier

Response by CPL David Salazar made Jun 5 at 2015 7:23 AM

CPL David Salazar — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 07:23:08 -0400

Classic and stoic philosophy.

Response by SGT William Howell made Jun 5 at 2015 7:31 AM

SGT William Howell — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 07:31:07 -0400

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.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 5 at 2015 7:45 AM

LTC Bink Romanick — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 07:45:48 -0400

The Forgotten Soldier by Sajer, The NCO Guide , Once an Eagle by Myrer, To Kill a Mockingbird by Lee,

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 5 at 2015 7:53 AM

LTC Bink Romanick — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 07:53:34 -0400

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.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 7:58 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 07:58:09 -0400

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".

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 8:14 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 08:14:59 -0400

Book of the Five Rings by Miamoto Musashi.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jun 5 at 2015 8:16 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 08:16:27 -0400

A Message to Garcia...great small read.

http://govleaders.org/message-to-garcia.htm

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 9:40 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 09:40:12 -0400

Every book in here has something to offer. If you can find a book about the unit you're in that will go a long way to realizing what you are a part of. I know that may not be easy sometimes (as a memeber of the 101st I could trip in a bookstore and find at least three or four books about our history) but I'm sure there is something out there.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 5 at 2015 10:13 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 10:13:23 -0400

ANYTHING!

Any reading is better that vegetating.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jun 5 at 2015 11:07 AM

1LT William Clardy — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 11:07:11 -0400

I always liked Jim Baen's approach -- hook 'em with samples that they'll enjoy first.

So here's an easy-to-read suggestion that most enlisted will enjoy, SGT Private RallyPoint Member: "West of Honor" by Jerry Pournelle. It's military sci-fi written for the "young adult" market, and can lead to addiction when you find out that it's part of Pournelle's Co-Dominium series of stories. (I also recommend his "Janissaries" books, but those are thicker and there are only 3 so far -- the fourth is due out this September).

http://www.amazon.com/West-Honor-CoDominium-Future-History-ebook/dp/B00B9GYBF4/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=1-2&keywords=west+of+honor

West of Honor (CoDominium Future History Book 1) 1, Jerry Pournelle - Amazon.com

West of Honor (CoDominium Future History Book 1) - Kindle edition by Jerry Pournelle. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading West of Honor (CoDominium Future History Book 1).

Response by PVT William Bresch made Jun 5 at 2015 11:22 AM

PVT William Bresch — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 11:22:49 -0400

Honestly, unless I can train the person myself, I say nothing.

Reason:

In my Business Courses, that I teach, I tell my students that some will use the information for good and thats not a problem but, the 15% that use it for bad, are the worse individuals you can come across. the reason why, I don't teach my courses except to the Elite of Business Professionals. Call me biased but, this way I know the information will not be used to harm anyone.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 5 at 2015 12:15 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 12:15:35 -0400

Starship Troopers. Do not watch the movie, read the book.

We Were Soldiers Once… And Young, this one you can watch the movie too.

The U.S. Constitution...read what it actually says and then can better defend what you took an oath to protect.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

American Jihad: The Terrorists Living Among Us

The Bible.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 1:43 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 13:43:08 -0400

The Generals, Thomas Ricks

Team of Rivals, Doris Kearns Goodwin

Duty, Robert Gates

Response by SSG Aaron Rivera made Jun 5 at 2015 3:05 PM

SSG Aaron Rivera — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 15:05:33 -0400

in my opinion the reading lists that are offered by said NCOs and officers do not address your question correctly.

your basic enlistedmens handbook for military uniformity and rank structure is a good beginning. then read your AR weapons handbook to familiarize yourself with breaking down and identifying weapon parts. the Ranger handbook will also help with general knowledge with field problems problems. such as land navigation small unit tactics.
good luck to your endeavors in a strong military career

Response by LCDR Doug Nordman made Jun 5 at 2015 3:53 PM

LCDR Doug Nordman — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 15:53:36 -0400

Non-MOS? How about military personal finance?

These books were all used in my research, and most of them can be read for free:
http://the-military-guide.com/recommended-reading-books-research-papers-and-articles/

They cover the bell curve from saving money to investing to retirement, and there are a few on military lifestyle.

It's a big list, but don't read them all. Browse through and pick the one or two that look interesting to you-- and then see whether you can find them at your local library.

If you do happen to buy from that page (usually the Kindle version for e-readers), I donate Amazon's 4% commission to military-friendly charities.

This list was compiled from the recommendations of dozens of veterans and their families. I’ve personally read or used all of them and I was not paid, compensated, or otherwise bribed to recommend them. Many of them are free through a website or local library. The products are all worth their price, but I recommend …

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jun 5 at 2015 5:10 PM

1LT William Clardy — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 17:10:20 -0400

Again running subversively counter to all the professionally pragmatic suggestion
s, I'll suggest another entertaining bit of fiction which highlights the days when mischief could be wholesome: "The Mad Scientists Club" by Bertrand Brinley.

Its a compilation of short stories written for Boy's Life way back when the Boy Scouts were still universally respected. The storytelling is first rate, and it's a good read for boys and girls of all ages. It was a bedtime-story staple for my sons after I found my long-misplaced copy, and I still remember catching my wife's chagrin when I caught her reading on to the end of one story after both boys were sound asleep.

http://www.amazon.com/Mad-Scientists-Club-Scientist/dp/ [login to see] /ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=1-2&keywords=mad+scientists+club

The Mad Scientists' Club (Mad Scientist Club): Bertrand R. Brinley, Charles Geer: 9781930900530:...

The Mad Scientists' Club (Mad Scientist Club) [Bertrand R. Brinley, Charles Geer] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The boys are back in a 50th Anniversary Edition, with a new introduction by Sheridan Brinley. A strange sea monster appears on the lake...a fortune is unearthed from an old cannon ...a valuable dinosaur egg is stolen. Watch out as the Mad Scientists turn Mammoth Falls upside down! Take seven

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 5:13 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 17:13:35 -0400

Crazy as it may sound but check out, "Who Moved My Cheese?".

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 5:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 17:55:17 -0400

IF i were you, I would start college right away, by the time you make NCO, you will have some CR HRS that will help get promoted....... best option is AMU

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2015 6:42 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 18:42:49 -0400

"On combat" and "on killing" by LTC Dave Grossman

Response by LTC Ed Ross made Jun 5 at 2015 6:55 PM

LTC Ed Ross — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 18:55:04 -0400

I recommend my novel "The Transplants" for two reasons. First it's good entertainment that gives them a break fron duty. Second, it contains valuable insights into the national security bureaucracy. http://ewross.com/transplants.htm

Response by PO3 Erik Jensen made Jun 5 at 2015 7:30 PM

PO3 Erik Jensen — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 19:30:33 -0400

I guess my question would be, what is your purpose for reading?
Are you reading because its educational?
Pick your discipline and find whatever you can to read.
Or personal growth/leadership/management?
There are a lot of books out there that cover various points of view.
But I would suggest not reading just one author, but many different ones.
They may say the same thing, but in a different way and you can learn from the different perspectives.
And don't just stick with military authors, see what the civilian world does and thinks about
management and leadership. This especially helps when leaving the service, to understand how they
do things on the outside.
Or are you reading for the enjoyment of a good story?
Most of my reading was to relax, so I enjoyed a wide variety, depending on my mood.
La'Mour, Hillerman, Clancy, Brown, Tolkien are some of my favorite authors.
Everything from westerns, to mysteries, to action suspense, to the fantasy world.
On one 4 month cruise, I read close to 75 books and they were a combination of all of the books described above.

Response by CW2 Stephen Pate made Jun 5 at 2015 7:34 PM

CW2 Stephen Pate — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 19:34:31 -0400

Blood of the Lambs by Kamal Saleem. That will blow your hair back!!!!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2015 10:39 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 22:39:39 -0400

Mask of Command by John Keegan
On the German Art of War: Truppenführung
21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
Invisible Armies by Max Boot

Response by SSG John Jensen made Jun 7 at 2015 12:46 AM

SSG John Jensen — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 00:46:26 -0400

the military poetry of Rudyard Kipling: 'the 'eathen - where we get the phrase that everybody misquotes - the line from the poem is 'the backbone of the army is the non-commissioned man' , 'Tommy' for the Military/Civilian divide, 'The last of the Light Brigade' for homeless vets, 'Boots' for marching(you'll want to shoot me when you read that thinking of marching), 'Soldier and Sailor too' for the marines (Naval Infantry)
The Anabasis of Zenophon, a hard read but the basis of Andre Norton's Star Troopers, and John ringo's 'March Upcountry'
Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness' the basis of 'Apocalypse Now', and Joseph Conrad's 'Youth' a wonderful thing for the standard military misery

Response by LTC Robert Flynn made Jun 7 at 2015 12:19 PM

LTC Robert Flynn — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 12:19:22 -0400

I would recommend the "NCOs Guide".

Response by SSG John Jensen made Jun 7 at 2015 2:08 PM

SSG John Jensen — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 14:08:12 -0400

the dictionary! become a walking dictionary for your illiterate NCO's

Response by SGT Suraj Dave made Jun 7 at 2015 7:26 PM

SGT Suraj Dave — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 19:26:22 -0400

Show up to formation on time in the right uniform. If you can get that down, you are pretty much set to get to a board. (Taking into account you don't have attitude issues and somewhat understand your job)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 5:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 17:10:20 -0400

In addition to all others in this thread:

"The Gates of Fire" Steven Pressfield

Unparalleled personal leadership on the battlefield.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 7:58 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 19:58:28 -0400

I'm recommend "Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action", "Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t" both by Simon Sinek and The Constitution of the United States. I chose both books from Simon Sinek, because after reading these I started expecting more from my leadership and holding them accountable to their responsibilities and even curved my leadership style a bit and it helped me immensely. We all swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, so it might to helpfully to know exactly what we are defending.

Response by CW2 Carl Swanson made Jun 12 at 2015 7:42 PM

CW2 Carl Swanson — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 19:42:26 -0400

Sun-Tzu: Art of War

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 12 at 2015 8:21 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 20:21:34 -0400

I am old fashioned. I recommend reading up on the Principles of War. All these principles can be applied by small units to the Nation.

Response by SFC Andrew Kretz made Jun 18 at 2015 1:03 PM

SFC Andrew Kretz — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 13:03:31 -0400

Five Years to Freedom: The True Story of a Vietnam POW, James N. Rowe
The Speed of Trust, Stephen R. Covey
First Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Manager Do Differently, Marcus Buckingham & Curt Coffman
How to Win Friends & Influence People, Dale Carnegie
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey
Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankel
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Don’t, Jim Collins
The Compound Effect, Darren Hardy

Anything with the following subject:
Strategic Management

Anything by the following author:
John Maxwell

Textbook:
Leadership: Theory and Practice, Peter G. Northouse

Search Google Scholar for peer reviewed articles that research topics regarding leadership

Response by TSgt Clarence T Montgomery made Jun 18 at 2015 1:09 PM

TSgt Clarence T Montgomery — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 13:09:28 -0400

Robert Kiyosaki books ~ starting with Rich Dad Poor Dad ~ Napoleon Hill (Author of Think and Grow Rich)

Response by SSG Sean Thoman made Jun 26 at 2015 10:48 AM

SSG Sean Thoman — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 10:48:02 -0400

You already covered Covey and the 7 Habits, I would throw in Leadership Wisdom of Jesus Christ, Blunders in International Business, Road to Serfdom, Military Incompetence-How and why some operations failed.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 4:23 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 16:23:11 -0400

Starship Troopers - Robert Heinlein.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jul 4 at 2015 7:57 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 19:57:15 -0400

Try taking the Correspondence Course for your given MOS, it gives you a leg up in several areas over other books. First and foremost it will teach you somethings you may not know about your field. Second it will teach you somethings about basic soldiering, communications, and a few other things. Lastly it starts you on the path getting promotion points.

Response by PO1 Jerome Newland made Sep 21 at 2019 7:41 PM

PO1 Jerome Newland — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 19:41:19 -0400

The military is like a cold shower, somebody should tell you about it before you get in. Long title short book. Old, might still be available on Amazon.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2019 7:28 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 07:28:32 -0400

The Mission, The Men, and Me. By Pete Blaber.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 22 at 2019 9:20 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 09:20:47 -0400

If you can find them some of the old F M 25's

Response by Cpl Cameron Taylor made Nov 23 at 2019 3:12 AM

Cpl Cameron Taylor — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 03:12:26 -0500

Honors Reward by John Bevere
Teaches principles of honor and benefits.

Response by SSG Sidney Galloway made Jan 28 at 2020 7:59 PM

SSG Sidney Galloway — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:59:48 -0500

Easy answer: Fifth grade spelling/grammar books.

Response by George Oldroyd made Apr 26 at 2020 12:58 AM

George Oldroyd — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 00:58:41 -0400

Go no eBay, and buy a copy of any edition of the By Scut Field Book. There are three major revisions, and having one of each is an outstanding resource. They are full of incredibly valuable stuff. The field books deal with more advanced outdoor skills, and the handbooks have the basics and the values material as well.

I know it must seem corny, but young people with strong Scouting backgrounds frequently do well in the military, and a lot of what they know is in those books.

You can also find them in digital formats online if you scour through search engines.