Posted on Feb 2, 2016
CPT Corrections Officer
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Aside from docterine and training publications; What are some of everyone's favorite reads on the military/ leadership?
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Responses: 33
MAJ Rene De La Rosa
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We were Soldiers Once....and Young by LTG Hal Moore and Joe Galloway. I read this one every year in November to coincide with the anniversary.
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PO1 Brian Austin
PO1 Brian Austin
10 y
My favorite book period! Never get tired of reading it.
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Capt Richard I P.
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1. Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield (Fiction, Historical Military, Philosophy)
2. Starship Troopers Robert Heinlein (Fiction, Future Military. Philosophy, Government)
3. The Warrior Ethos by Steven Pressfield (Non-Fiction, Philosophy)
4. The Mission, the Men and Me by Pete Blaber (Nonfiction, Delta Leader, Practical, Philosophy)
5. Ender's Game (Fiction, Future Military, Adaptive Thinking)

You may enjoy this thread.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-the-best-professional-military-fiction
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Capt Richard I P.
Capt Richard I P.
10 y
CPT (Join to see) To follow-up: As a CO and Army Officer you might enjoy:
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein. It's about a Prison Colony on the moon, and revolution, and popular governance, liberty, physics and sentient machines.
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CPT Company Commander
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The Unforgiving Minute is a stellar read IMHO. Also read Beyond the Band of Brothers by MAJ Richard Winters - both gave very engaging insights into military leadership.
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CPT Corrections Officer
CPT (Join to see)
10 y
I've got the unforgiving minute on my kindle, havnt read it yet but il have some hours to burn in the airport!
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MAJ Program Technician
MAJ (Join to see)
10 y
I have also read that book and it is one of my favorites.
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What are everyone's favorite military/leadership reads?
CPT Deputy Chief Of Staff
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The Chief of Staff publishes a reading list.
Killer Angels was a good one I recently finished. Common sense leadership.

The SMA published a reading list too and his isn't military oriented. I think Moneyball may be on that list.
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CPT Mark Gonzalez
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I am a fan of "Gates of Fire" and anything by C.S. Lewis.
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MAJ Operations Officer (S3)
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Here's my top 5

1. Once an Eagle. (It took me a year to finish, but its well worth the time.)
2. Starship Troopers. (Great military fiction)
3. The Art of War. (A classic)
4. Steel my Soldiers Hearts. (A good book on the power of morale and esprit de corps.)
5. Words for Warriors. ( a book by the legendary COL Ralph Puckett)
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Col Joseph Lenertz
Col Joseph Lenertz
10 y
Once an Eagle is a great book on leadership and the military life.
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MAJ David Wallace
MAJ David Wallace
10 y
Great picks!
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MAJ David Wallace
MAJ David Wallace
10 y
Don't forget David Hackworth's "About Face." Also check out Stephen Ambrose's works, such as "Band of Brothers," "Pegasus Bridge," "D-Day" and "Citizen Soldiers." Another little gem of a book that was required reading at the Infantry School was "A Message to Garcia," written by Elbert Hubbard just after the Spanish-American War or 1898. It's a quick read and touches on the importance of a solid, determined work ethic that stresses initiative and commitment. You can get a free copy of it online and save it to your Kindle or computer.
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CPT Ceo Lz Herndon
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Clauswitz on War
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1LT Commander
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"The Book of 5 Rings" is hands down my favorite "military" book. Absolutely motivating.
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COL Strategic Plans Chief
COL (Join to see)
10 y
Bonus for citing Miyamoto Musashi!!!
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1LT Military Police
1LT (Join to see)
10 y
The mission the men and me is mine
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LTC Multifunctional Logistician
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Anything by John Kotter, Jim Collins, or James Kouzes is good. Hughes, Ginnet, and Curphy also have a good primer, although it is a textbook. Military specific Band of Brothers, Biggest Brother, We Were Soldiers Once... And Young, or In The Hands Of Providence are good.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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Anything by Heinlein. I go through his collected works about once a year.
The Watch portion of the Discworld Novels by Terry Pratchett
The Phule novels by Robert Asprin

I have a running list over at RP Book Club: Title - Author, as well. I try to pop them up on a semi-regular basis when I find one that's worth sharing.
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MSgt James Mullis
MSgt James Mullis
10 y
My two favorite quotes are from Robert Heinlein:
- Everything is theoretically impossible, until it is done.
- I never learned from a man who agreed with me.
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