Customer Reviews

The Battles of Peace

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In the days after Desert Storm, perhaps few Americans remember that the U.S. Army of 1974 was the garbage can of American society. Drugs, racial strife and indiscipline were rampant. Officers were often afraid to enter the barracks alone or unarmed. Captain Lanning took command of A Company, 2nd Battalion of the 30th Infantry in Germany in 1974. What happened over the next months can only be described as a textbook in motivational leadership: Lanning transformed a drug-infested, undisciplined rabble into one of the best units in Germany. He describes in his book how he used a combination of strict discipline and attention to the needs of his men. Lanning hastens to say that almost all of the techniques he used were old tricks. I feel he is too modest. This book is a testament to the importance of the junior officer and NCO in forming an effective army. He does not hesitate to criticize superior officers and the "feel good" methods that are unfortunately are making a comeback in most of the branches of the armed forces today. One can only hope that there are more Michael Lee Lannings waiting to pick up the pieces when this system inevitably fails. This book should be read not only by those interested in the military, but anyone seeking hints on how to be an effective leader.

An excellent book for anyone trying to figure out how to be a good officer or senior NCO. There are plenty of books out there that go on about what this general did and what happened in that great battle, but VERY few books speak to what it is like to command and train soldiers. The problems of getting people to work for you, helping them through their problems, and at the same time building a team spirit that will survive adversity - real challenges that Michael Lee Lanning, a combat veteran in Vietnam who later commanded this company in Germany has met and overcome. You would do well to read his book and learn from his example.