I am looking at expanding my reading. What books do you think all Service Members should read?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 22:29:05 -0400

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2017 10:37 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 22:37:44 -0400

Infantry handbook, ranger handbook for any Army.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Aug 11 at 2017 10:54 PM

LTC John Mohor — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 22:54:50 -0400

A Time For Trumpets by Charles B. McDonald. It's a great one volume book that covers the Battle of the Bulge. The Longest Day and a Bridge to Far by CORNELIUS RYAN. We Were Soldiers Once and Young. War as I Knew It. And a number of others...

Response by LTC John Mohor made Aug 11 at 2017 10:55 PM

LTC John Mohor — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 22:55:57 -0400

Also as a transporter The Red Ball Express!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2017 11:04 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 23:04:55 -0400

The Chief of Staff just published his reading list and the suggested books are very profound in each of their areas (i.e. Strategic, etc).

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Aug 11 at 2017 11:19 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 23:19:49 -0400

Longest Day, a Bridge Too Far (operation Market Garden), Band of Brothers, Rommels and Bradleys AutoBigraphies, All quite on the western Front, We were Soldiers once. All great reading

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 11 at 2017 11:29 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 23:29:56 -0400

Starship Troopers.
Any Harold Coyle novel (give'em an OPLAN and He'll give'em a novel...great combined arms examples. Team Yankee is the first one).
This Kind of War by TR Fehrenbach.
The Ugly American.
Corporate Warriors by PW Singer (2007 update)
The NCO Guide
The Caine Mutiny
Black horse Riders
The Heights of Courage
Death Traps by Belton Cooper (for Ordnance guys at least)
Band of Brothers
The Defense of Hill 781
The Soldier's Load by SLA Marshall
Men under fire by SLA Marshall
Hopeless to Hardcore by David Hackworth
The US Army Transportation Corps had a great history section on its website. It had many stories and historical narratives put together by Dr Kilblain the historian. They are short and separated by conflict, and punctuated with many photos. QM had a similar one too.
Adp-ADRP 6-22 the Army Leadership pubs that used to be in one FM.
FM7-8
FM 1.02 operational Terms and Symbols

Response by CW5 Ranger Dave made Aug 11 at 2017 11:48 PM

CW5 Ranger Dave — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 23:48:59 -0400

Flying RC-12G Recon flights over CENTAM at 5.5 hours per day every day, I loved my copy of Reader's Digest. Read that puppy cover to cover. I also enjoyed the Almanac and the Farmers Almanac. These will expand your mind. As a youngster in Italy with no TV, I read Louis Lamar Western novels, To Hell and Back, A Bridge Too Far (also got to jump into Eindhoven in 74 for the thirtyth anniversary of Market Garden), and a ton of Michner novels.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 11 at 2017 11:53 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 23:53:13 -0400

On War and Leadership

Response by MAJ Montgomery Granger made Aug 11 at 2017 11:56 PM

MAJ Montgomery Granger — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 23:56:06 -0400

Operation Homecoming - a wartime narrative published in 2006, by Random House, supported by The National Endowment for the Arts and edited by New York Times best-selling editor, Andrew Carroll. About 100 authors of non-fiction and fiction, all military or their loved ones. "Taking Chance," the story of a US Marine Corps officer who volunteers to accompany a deceased soldier's body back to the soldier's hometown, made into an HBO movie starring Kevin Bacon, was one of the many heart wrenching and visceral stories in this book. In my first published work I write about my feelings of fear regarding having left my two day-old son for a deployment and not knowing how he would respond when I got home. I don't get any royalties from sales, so this recommendation isn't about personal gain. This is a book every American should read. It took me over a year to get through it, and I consider it one of the most profound literary experiences of my life. Especially emotional are the accounts written by those left behind, the family and loved ones. Read it. Have your local library get a copy. Hooah!

Response by CPO Glenn Moss made Aug 11 at 2017 11:59 PM

CPO Glenn Moss — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 23:59:33 -0400

Rocks and Shoals: Naval Discipline in the Age of Fighting Sails
https://www.amazon.com/Rocks-Shoals-Discipline-Fighting-Bluejacket/dp/ [login to see]

This is more than just about the Navy. The period discussed covers the transition from the Articles of War to the UCMJ. This was a radical change in our military's judicial system and well worth understanding how and why it came about.

The period in question is from 1800 to 1861.

I don't know if the other branches have an equivalent, but here's a link to a past Navy's Naval Heritage/Core Values Reading Guide:

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/MCPON+reading+list.-a098543794

Rocks and Shoals: Naval Discipline in the Age of Fighting Sails (Bluejacket Books): James E....

Rocks and Shoals: Naval Discipline in the Age of Fighting Sails (Bluejacket Books) [James E. Valle] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. A dramatic and highly instructive picture of the naval justice system in the U.S. Navy between 1800 and 1861.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2017 12:00 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 00:00:13 -0400

The Signal and The Noise by Nate Silver. It's not military history, or even about leadership. It's about how we think, specifically how we understand our biases and interpret information... hearing the signal but missing the noise. I make all my analysts read it.

Response by Maj John Bell made Aug 12 at 2017 12:06 AM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 00:06:37 -0400

Small Unit Leadership by Dandridge Malone
Manuever Warfare Hand Book by William S. Lind
How We Won the War By Vo Ngyuen Giap
People's War, People's Army: The Viet Cong Insurrection Manual... by Vo Gyuen Giap
The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
The Western Way of War: Infantry Battle in Classical Greece By Victor Hanson and John Keegan
Field Marshal Von Rundstedt Explains By Military Intelligence Division
FM3-22.68 Chapter Five of CREW-SERVED MACHINE GUNS, 5.56-mm AND 7.62-mm
Military Deception and Strategic Surprise! by John Gooch

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2017 1:11 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 01:11:15 -0400

Outside of the outstanding recommendations so far given, I would include these.

Miyamoto Musashi circa 1645:
The Book of Five Rings

Sun Tzu:
The Art of War

Dave Ramsey:
More Than Enough

John C. Maxwell:
Developing the Leader Within You
Developing the Leaders Around You
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
Thinking for a Change
Leadership 101
Attitude 101
The 5 Levels of Leadership
Intentional Living
The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork
Everyone Communicates, Few Connect

Tony Dungy:
The Mentor Leader

Jon Gordon & Mike Smith:
You Win in the Locker Room First

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2017 4:54 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 04:54:38 -0400

The books that helped me the most,

It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership; Colin Powell (General, Retired)

Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In; Roger Fisher

and...

Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action; Simon Sinek

Master the sage advice in these books, and you will be years ahead of your peers.

Good luck!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2017 5:32 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 05:32:48 -0400

"The 5 Levels of Leadership'' by John C. Maxwell is a good read.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2017 6:17 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 06:17:53 -0400

Any book by Dick Couch is a must read. The art of war by sun tzu.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2017 6:18 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 06:18:21 -0400

Insight into the modern marine Corp the book generation kill.

Response by CH (COL) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2017 8:41 AM

CH (COL) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 08:41:17 -0400

Crisis In Command and Prodigal Soldiers

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2017 9:12 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 09:12:59 -0400

Here are my favorites, in no particular order:
•Starship Troopers, Robert A. Heinlein
•Leadership and Training for the Fight, Paul Howe
•In the Company of Heroes, Michael J. Durant & Steven Hartov
•The Men, the Mission, and Me, Pete Blaber
I'm also currently reading Five Years to Freedom, by James N. Rowe, and I am enjoying it.

Response by MAJ Gregory Coleridge made Aug 12 at 2017 9:46 AM

MAJ Gregory Coleridge — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 09:46:33 -0400

My favorite is 7 PILLARS OF WISDOM by T.E LARENCE

Response by TSgt Floyd Wilson made Aug 12 at 2017 9:55 AM

TSgt Floyd Wilson — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 09:55:58 -0400

Anything profession related on duty. Off duty whatever genre you prefer.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2017 10:57 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 10:57:40 -0400

Great question SSG Private RallyPoint Member. National Defense University has a page with links to seven of the prominent Professional Reading List across all military services.
http://www.ndu.edu/Libraries/Professional-Military-Reading-List/

Professional Military Reading List

The official website of the National Defense University

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Aug 12 at 2017 10:59 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 10:59:00 -0400

Any of Clancy's books, but particularly Red Storm Rising and Clear and Present Danger.
All of Ralph Peters books, but particularly The War After Armageddon
Winston Churchill's History of the English Speaking Peoples, and his Series on WWII
For traditional and enjoyable fiction try books by Edgar Burroughs such as the Tarzan series
Any of John Grisham's books if you like legal thrillers, but one of his best is Playing for Pizza
Books about Afghanistan by Khaled Hosseini
James Michener's The Source to help you understand Israel and the Middle East

That should keep you busy for a year or two.

Response by SGT Ace Paul made Aug 12 at 2017 10:59 AM

SGT Ace Paul — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 10:59:10 -0400

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, etc.

Response by 1st Lt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2017 1:34 PM

1st Lt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 13:34:39 -0400

Atlas Shrugged.
1984.

Response by SSgt Dwight Deatherage made Aug 12 at 2017 1:55 PM

SSgt Dwight Deatherage — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 13:55:34 -0400

If you are enjoy reading, I suggest you join the <1% in reading the Classics. I would start with reading the trials of Don Quixote. This quest could keep you busy for years, but you will never find yourself at a loss for words.

Response by PO1 Richard Cormier made Aug 12 at 2017 2:25 PM

PO1 Richard Cormier — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 14:25:17 -0400

From Admiral Daniel V. Gallery:
Now, Hear This! (Paperback Library, 1966)
Stand By-y-y to Start Engines (Norton, 1966)
Cap'n Fatso (sequel to Now, Hear This) (Norton, 1969)
Away Boarders (sequel to Cap'n Fatso) (Norton, 1971)
The Brink (Warner Books, 1973)

These books will tickle your funny bone because there is just enough realism to make you think it IS true. I loved these books.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2017 2:54 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 14:54:57 -0400

We Were Soldiers Once...And Young - LTG Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Aug 12 at 2017 5:22 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 17:22:14 -0400

I tend to read books about searching for a future career.

Response by AA Joseph Moody made Aug 12 at 2017 5:55 PM

AA Joseph Moody — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 17:55:45 -0400

I've always been more of a fan of good questions rather than good answers, a good question is always half answered, but a good answer often makes people forget about the question and problem it applies to. For most of these I would suggest reading them one passage at a time and thinking on them for at least a few days.

Tao Te Ching

Anything by Benjamin Franklin, and Mark Twain. (Mark Twain's essays are worth the occasional sit down)

And last on this list is
On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft by Stephen King.
I mention this one because he touches on the concept of honesty of thought. Granted it is geared more for aspiring writers, but the advice in it is pragmatic and very down to earth.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 12 at 2017 6:55 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 18:55:54 -0400

Before people go crazy recommending Art of War, On War by Clausewitz, and others...without guided study and the right translation of the texts, you may as well be reading gibberish. I recommend this book on strategy, that breaks down Mao, Sun Tzu, Clausewitz, Mahan, Corbett, and Jomini. It was written by Michael Handel who was long time faculty at the Naval War College. Masters of War. https://www.amazon.com/Masters-War-Classical-Strategic-Thought/dp/ [login to see]

Amazon.com: Masters of War: Classical Strategic Thought (9780714681320): Michael I. Handel: Books...

Amazon.com: Masters of War: Classical Strategic Thought (9780714681320): Michael I. Handel: Books

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2017 6:57 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 18:57:44 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Others have touched on excellent books to read. Service members should also be knowledgeable about saving and investing money for homes, cars, retirement and other needs. Service members should be active savers and investors. They should research IRAs, Roth IRAs, and retirement plans along with investment choices. They should be familiar with retirement calculators so they have some idea how much they need to save for retirement. They should track their monthly expenses and income so they know where their money is going, and be able to cut out wasteful spending. They should create a net worth spreadsheet and update each year, to keep track of their progress toward their goals. They should do their own taxes each year so they have more of a grasp of taxes, and how to mange them better.

https://www.investor.gov/

https://investor.vanguard.com/corporate-portal/

Investor.gov

The SEC’s Investor.gov: Tools to check your investment professional, compound interest calculators, and other objective resources for the average investor.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Aug 12 at 2017 8:38 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 20:38:25 -0400

Dispatches, Herr and Hue, Nolan

Response by SSG Ernest Gonzales made Aug 12 at 2017 10:02 PM

SSG Ernest Gonzales — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 22:02:11 -0400

I am a small business owner, (real estate in Las Vegas), as such I like to read any leadership book I can get my hands on...anything from John Maxwell or Gary Keller as they mostly pertain to my side of the tracks and both are very impressive. I also like marketing books like Seth Godines Purple Cow.

Response by Cpl Lawrence Lavictoire made Aug 13 at 2017 1:46 PM

Cpl Lawrence Lavictoire — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 13:46:30 -0400

The BIBLE! The most important Book anyone can read!

Response by SSgt Christopher Mortell made Aug 14 at 2017 7:06 PM

SSgt Christopher Mortell — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 19:06:27 -0400

I would add to this list:

Leading Up by Michael Useem (Great military examples using Marine General Peter Pace)

Meditations - Marcus Aurelius

Also, don't just read military stuff. Read things that help you understand the human condition and history.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 14 at 2017 7:15 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 19:15:47 -0400

CTO1 Wm "Chip" Nagel USN(R) at Your Service. I'm a Retired Navy Spook. Anything about My World is a Plus. The Puzzle Palace, Body of Secrets (Co-Written by My DIVO), Blind Mans Bluff (I Handled the Communications for this One), Rescue of Alfa Foxtrot 586 (I was O Brancher on Duty at FOSIC CINCPACFLT). Falcon and the Snowman (When it Came Out it was the First Time I was Told You will Neither Confirm or Deny, If Asked You will Respond "No Comment"). All the Above Non Fiction. If You want to Venture into the World of Fiction Hunt for Red October, Patriots Games (Behind ever Legend is a Kernel of Truth, PO2 Robert M., CPO Allen D. (Al) B. and Myself are the Kernel Behind Patriot Games) and Deception Point (I Handled the Messages for SOSUS RED)

Response by CPT John Sheridan made Aug 17 at 2017 12:23 AM

CPT John Sheridan — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 00:23:14 -0400

An obscure recommendation, but I offer United States Navy in World War II - edited by SE Smith. It is a collection of first person stories relating the personal experiences of sailors from Seaman to Admiral, tied together into a coherent narrative covering naval operations through the entire war. Not only is it insightful in providing historical context and educational regarding naval history and operations, it is deeply engaging. Reading the first hand accounts of those who were there, I found putting the book down difficult.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Aug 18 at 2017 10:22 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 10:22:01 -0400

I know are really good book coming out this holiday season, I wrote it it's about the voice of the voiceless that can't be heard who have PTSD. I'm currently working with my publisher right now.

Response by SGT Mike Ruff made Aug 18 at 2017 11:18 AM

SGT Mike Ruff — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 11:18:54 -0400

First, re-read and fully understand the Oath taken upon enlistment:

"I, (state name of enlistee), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

And for officers:

"I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God."

Now, the next step is, of course, to read and understand the thing you swore an oath to defend: The US Constitution.

And, since you agreed to be bound to it, the UCMJ.

Until you've done all that at a bare minimum, you have not yet begun to prepare yourself for the responsibilities of a soldier.

Follow that with the Geneva Convention and the Law of Land Warfare and so forth.

DO NOT cop out and say that that stuff is all taken care of by the JAG Lawyers and senior officers and such--because YOU as a soldier are individually and personally responsible for following lawful orders and refusing to follow unlawful orders. "I was just following orders" is not a defense--as demonstrated at Nuremberg. Obviously, some unlawful orders (e.g. being ordered by your CO to wash his POV) are better obeyed and then reported, but in more serious cases, you have a duty to disobey--and you can't know and understand the difference until you have read and understood all of the above.

It is also a lazy cop-out to claim the Supreme Court decides what is Constitutional and what isn't. What's more, it's also not true. YOU must be able to determine what is Constitutional and what is not; because you are responsible--personally, due to the oath you swore (or affirmed) voluntarily--for defending the Constitution, which you cannot do if you can't tell what is and is not Constitutional.

If this is too much for you, then I submit you are not suited to be a soldier.

To understand all these things, and get them in context and perspective, you will most likely need to do a lot of external reading on these subjects. You'll need to read the Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers, various other writings of the Founding Fathers, and the History of the Constitution and the treaties and conventions which bind the military.

Once you have mastered these, THEN you can begin reading works on strategy, tactics, planning, training, and most important, logistics.

I also recommend a lot of fiction reading in between, specifically military and science fiction. Both for entertainment and a sort of mental "palate cleanser," as well as because such fiction trains your imagination in such a way as to make you more mentally flexible, as well as better able to understand how others think.

Resign yourself--if you intend to be a responsible and professional soldier--to a never-ending reading list.

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Sep 13 at 2017 9:26 AM

LTC Tom Jones — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 09:26:23 -0400

War and Peace by Tolstoy. Might not learn a lot but reading it will keep you busy and out of trouble for a few weeks.

Response by Gregory Coleridge made Mar 3 at 2018 6:32 AM

Gregory Coleridge — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 06:32:48 -0500

The book that sum it all up is anton myrers once an eagle. It does, nt get any better than that.