The writer has used a personal experience to tell a story about the daily experiences of American Military officers in course of their duties. He has managed to bring out a unique view of various operations and techniques applied by the military officers and the challenges they encounter.
Most of the fundamental changes addressed by Bolger have helped the Military to progress over the last half a decade. He has portrayed a positive image about the success of the US military forces. He portrays each and every operation undertaken by US military in various parts of the world as a complete prove of the increased emergence of the military might.This book is a very informative piece for every person with an interest to learn about the US Military operations.
The professionalism employed in the military operations is pot across as a contributor to its success. To a common man the military is a body that consists of soldiers. However, Bolger has brought out the picture of the various units of military among them the paratroopers, mechanized units for ground assault, air assault personnel for overhead assault, light assault officers, marines for offshore attack and even rangers (Bolger, 8).Each and every unit has its specific duty. Bolger explains the formation of these units as a result of the need to handle different requirements in the Warfield. During the Gulf War, the combined utility of the units such like rangers, mechanized tank battalions and air-borne assault battalion is showcased as one of the factor that has had the potential to give positive results.
The writer emphasizes on the importance of the dreaded military training which is a good foundation that prepares the officer’s for the challenging task ahead of them (Bolger,19).Through the use of fascinating references to the mode of operations, the author creates a picture in the mind of the reader that makes the book interesting to read The writer has based the success of this military to the abiding of major guiding values that are upheld within all ranks of the army. Faithfulness In the American Army, every officer is required to remain faithful to the U. S Nation by upholding its constitution, the Army as part of his duty and other soldiers at all times of duty.
This loyalty is expounded by Bolger as the one factor that has made the soldiers aim at upholding the flag of the republic high and always come home victorious every time they go out on an assignment. Duty Another value that is required by the US military to its officers is the playing part of duty. This passes the responsibility to every officer called to serve this institution to always strive towards fulfilling all his or her obligations.In this book, Bolger portrays the US military officers as a composed of members who are committed and always ready to fulfill their duties.
At no single moment has he portrayed the American Military officers as members who shy away from responsibility. At a personal level, every military officer has been shown as a member who acts responsibly and remains answerable to his or her actions (Peltz, 18). This includes the actions of all other persons that have been entitled under the care of a senior person. RespectBolger has emphasized on the aspect of respect within the ranks of the military organization as a major factor that has contributed towards the achieving of current success within this organization.
Each and every soldier understands that, the way he or she treats others has a lot of significance on the overall image of the organization. Bolger asserts that, discipline within the army is portrayed by showing respect. The treatment of other junior and senior officers in the similar way one would like to be treated makes the operations easy.A reciprocate salute is a sign of cross rank respect between senior and junior officers.
Honor The aspect of upholding the overall values of the military is emphasized as an overall bond that distinguishes US military from other military organizations. The upholding of these values plays a big role in giving the military officers a common drive in pursuit of their duties. According to Bolger, every action in the mind of a military officer revolves around the fulfillment of the other six values. Selfless serviceThe act of selfless service requires a person to give priority to the needs of other persons first. In the US military, soldiers are expected to put the welfare of the state, the army and other members of the military first before thinking your own. This is the factor that Bolger has cited as the major contributor towards the organizational teamwork which has helped to maintain discipline, faith and self control within the system of the military unit.
The issue of selfless service is exemplified in all the aspects of the army operations.During the operation that was undertaken in Somalia, the army took a risky but a selfless undertaking to move into Mogadishu and rescue some of their own members who were trapped in the eye of a battle (Bolger, 33). It took the selfless efforts of the light infantry by the name of finest hour who applied their flexibility and superior fighting skills to undertake this operation with utmost success. Integrity To be successful in the military, there is need to show and employ integrity in all of the activities.
Dignity allows an officer to do that what is right whether one is being watched over or not. In US military, dignity acts as a constant reminder of the calling to acts in a dignified manner. The application of integrity has earned US military respect in major areas where they have been called to action (Peltz, 36). Bolger cites the exemplary work that was undertaken by the US marines in Liberia. Personal courage Military work is not a job of each and every person who cannot afford to face personal fears.
The capacity to face personal fear helps a military officer to face fear associated with work, enemy, and dangers of work or even adversaries that comes on the way. In addition, this passes a requirement for one to have both moral and physical courage which is a major requirement for success in handling the hard duties of the military. Bolger cites operation Just Cause as one area where the utility of paratroopers shows the flexibility of the US military (Geoffrey, 23). This is one of the operation where there was the need to have a lot of courage to undertake this risky operation.
In all the areas focused by the writer, he emphasizes on the need to have quality skills, application of professionalism and making adequate preparations to achieve success in the upcoming mission. The greatest failure in military operations have been associated with the lack of motivation among the military officers, lack of adequate skills to handle the challenge and use of ill trained officers to carry out of tasks that are beyond their capabilities. In the end, the writer looks at the new trends in the military where there is a shift in application of specialized military technology in warfare (Bolger, 66).However, this shift is seen as one which will cause the military to employ a reduced number of staff but might be disadvantageous in case the country suffers losses in head to head battles.
Bolger has managed to put an insight of the military experiences in the mind of the reader. If one wants to join the military, this is a book that would make him or her think again. However, it is an encouragement for those serving as we share their light and tough moments through treading this book.
