Steel My Soldiers' Hearts: The Hopeless to Hardcore Transformation of the U.S. Army, 4th...

Steel My Soldiers' Hearts: The Hopeless to Hardcore Transformation of the U.S. Army, 4th Battalion, 39th ... | DAVID H. COL HACKWORTH, Eilhys England | Outstanding book, good lessons on leadership

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Steel My Soldiers'...

	Steel My Soldiers' Hearts: The Hopeless to Hardcore Transformation of the U.S. Army, 4th Battalion, 39th ... DAVID H. COL HACKWORTH, Eilhys England Rugged Land, 2002 - 512 pages average customer review:based on 67 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Brings out the Best and Worst of the US Army

[I'll preface this review by admitting I had Hack autograph my Amazon purchased copy in 2002-something I've rarely done. Hack died recently - the world will miss his bravery, honor and grit.]

The conflicts most important to the US Army are fought in Washington, DC. The results from these battles - between State and Defense - inter-service - or between military contractors -filter down to the troops - tragically sometimes in combat.

None can deny that the Officer Corps of the United States Army has become (virtually) a political rat hole. Careerism - in my day - started at Colonel - now some Captains and Majors refuse to be risk takers for fear of career ending errors. Additionally, when how war is conducted becomes the focus of Presidential politics - it is only the troops who suffer.

When viewed by civilians - the United States Army is a terrible place to have a career. Low pay, slow promotion, terrible benefits, bad food and housing - and oh ya' - dangerous. So why do we continue to find such strong, smart and larger than life individuals who thrive and succeed in this environment? Young men, such as David Hackworth, volunteer, find themselves and then inspire others to reach their ultimate capabilites and beyond!

The Army of today is all volunteer. Most who enlist do so for personal reasons - this thing about defending our country. During the Vietnam War, Col David Hackworth did not have the luxury of commanding a volunteer force. Like him, I commanded a majority of troops who did NOT want to wear the uniform (in my case a platoon) - and worse - found themselves in a combat zone against their will - impressed into an uncaring system that cheapened their contributions, sacrifices - and even their lives. Unlike me - Hack never had the joys and rewards of command in the all volunteer force.

"Steel My Soldier's Hearts" is a manual in the traits of personal leadership for all organizations - how to make them better and allow contributions from all people - of all capabilities and at every level. Hack was an officer who bent people to his will - fierce determination to succeed and to complete the mission - and to take care of his troops. He let nothing stand in his way to achieve his goals.

Hackworth succeeded where others failed - by inspiring, leading by example, showing results by and for his troops. First, he taught them how to survive - then defeat the enemy by outthinking them at EVERY turn. Hackworth was a military artist - not a military scientist, his lessons learned were personal. Some techniques are transferrable to others - the will and determination - probably not. This is the David Hackworth I admire.

Such personalities collect enemies along the way. Thanks either to fear, intimidation or bad aim - Hack was spared 'fragging' and succeeded building a magnificent fighting force. Criticism of Hack as a self promoting grandstander can probably be justified. He earned the right to do so! He had no tolerance for those he viewed as obstacles. He purged officers - bad and good - deserving and undeserving - happens all the time. Anybody who served on a staff of 'Stormin Norman' Schwartzkopf would make Hack out to be an angel of mercy!

Hack tries to show people the truth of war and military service. Anyone who contemplates wearing the uniform should read all of Hackworth's writings. Those who wear the uniform - or have worn the uniform will be comforted by Hack's confirmation of vanity, glory, selfish enrichment and stupidity by those who led us - and of the government we served.

[Hack - RIP, Mike Horn, LTC, MI, USA, 1970-1996, ret]

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Outstanding book, good lessons on leadership

Unfortunately, the author, Retired Colonel David Hackworth, recently passed away. After reading this book, I definitely understood his anger towards the leadership and politicians from both political parties, for their poor leadership and direction of the Vietnam War. The policies were so contradictory and appeared to forget the successes that were achieved through a high price in the lives that were lost in achieving the mission.

This book is focused on his time as a Battalion Commander, turning the 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry from a hard luck outfit into a hardcore battalion. There are really good lessons in leadership (aside for making his soldiers salute in the field, I always believe that soldiers should be focused on the mission and the enemy, and should not be distracted about receiving a butt chewing for not saluting someone of a higher pay grade when on mission or in the field, it would be darn bad having been shot while standing at attention while saluting someone else, wouldn't it?)

One of the most noteworthy lessons from the book is the implementing of special scouts armed with sniper rifles for each company. National Guard infantry units are currently deploying to Afghanistan in a similar concept, being trained and armed with modified M14 rifles.

Another lesson in human ego's that has existed throughout the centuries in every army, are the senior officers who care more for their own career and personal comfort more than those they are responsible for. The author is very candid regarding his opinion of certain senior officers. The author also describes how even the best warriors and leaders can be overwhelmed mentally and emotionally due to the high operations tempo and stress from a one year combat deployment.

The author also describes how coordination between units is important to the safe successful completion of the mission. The author also mentioned how other Battalion Commanders had difficulty in working with him as he put his unit above everyone else for air support, helicopter lift, to artillery support. This is a good point, even those his unit is under fire, that doesn't mean another unit is under more pressure and under heavier fire.

The key battles and engagements are depicted well and the book flows. This is an excellent book and does a high honor to remember those who braved the fire and dangers against a tenacious and dedicated enemy.

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Excellent, a pretty much unique soldier

David Hackworth has emerged the last decade or so as probably the best soldier to have served in VietNam, especially among those who left the army at the war's end and became critics of the American military. He had the proverbial bucket of medals, more wounds than two or three other typical vets combined, and was an outspoken advocate of his soldiers' welfare, and of effectively fighting and winning the war. This book chronicles one of his most stellar acheivements: the transformation of "the worst battalion in the Army" into Hackworth's "Hardcore Recondo", a unit which repeatedly bested the VC, in four short months. It's vintage Hackworth, replete with profanity and obscenity, merciless judgements of those around him, and Hackworth's relentlyess search for effeciency, alertness, and competent ways of doing things at all levels of the army.

There are many comparisons of David Hackworth to other American soldiers. Most of the comparisons surround battlefield heroes like Audie Murphy and Alvin York. Frankly I don't think those are valid. While Murphy was an officer, in the action for which he is best remembered he sent his platoon to the rear to safety, and acted as an individual, and York of course was the classic loner. No, I think the best comparison with an American soldier from history (this will be sacrilege to some, on both sides) is with a Marine rather than a member of the Army. I'm talking about Chesty Puller. For those who aren't familiar, Puller served in Haiti, Nicaragua, WW2, and Korea, and won a record five Navy Crosses. He was almost religious in caring for the Marines under his command, scathing when he thought his superiors weren't performing up to his standards, and downright mean when he caught subordinates demeaning or humiliating "the men". Any of this sound familiar?

Anyway, I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone interested in the subject of fighting and winning wars. It's one of the best books on the subject, and very real. You feel as if you're really there, and Hackworth's narrative is helped along nicely by interspersed interviews (done by his wife, the co-author) with various other members of the unit. Very very good book.

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An Exceptionally Well Written Book

This book is definitely one of the best books I have read in a long time. This book is the story of the Hardcore Battalion and how they transformed into the legendary fighters that they became. The book is written largely from the Colonel Hackworth's point of view but it also uses many personal stories and memories of those who fought beside him.

This is a very moving book that exposes how awful some of the officers were in the Vietnam War. Many were afraid to take risks; however, others, took to many risks. Some officers were not aggressive enough, but others were too aggressive and the only thing they cared about was themselves and how to better their self.

Colonel Hackworth is a wonderful leader and person who is able to give the worst battalion in the entire war into the hardcore fighters they were destined to be. He has a way of bringing the best out in people.

This book demonstrates how hard work and some leadership can change many people and bring them to their full potential. Colonel Hackworth was sent to the 4Th Battalion, 39th Infantry because they were the worst. They were completely demoralized and had possibly the worst commander ever. Hackworth was able to turn them from the worst to the best. He taught how to out g the g (guerilla). this helped many men survive situations that they normally would have died. Colonel Hackworth is a wonderful soldier and a great man and not of the people in this book would disagree with me.

There have been many books about the Vietnam War, but this book takes the cake. I don't usually enjoy nonfiction books because sometimes they can be very hard to read, but I really enjoyed this book and I believe that anyone who enjoys books about the military would enjoy it just as much as I did, if not more. I recommend this book to anyone who remotely likes the military.

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Awesome

I ordered this for my husband that found out that an old friend was featured in this book. My husband generally will not sit long enough to read, but he stayed glued to this book until he finished. GREAT BOOK! Thank you our veterans for being our heroes so we can be free!!!!

DR & PR

reviews: 1, 2, page 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

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