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Books > Social sciences > Warfare & defence > Military life & institutions > General
"Don't be too ready to listen to stories told by attractive women.
They may be acting under orders." This was only one of the many
warnings given to the 30,000 British troops preparing to land in
the enemy territory of Nazi Germany nine-and-a-half months after
D-Day. The newest addition to the Bodleian Library's bestselling
series of wartime pamphlets, "Instructions for British Servicemen
in Germany, 1944" opens an intriguing window into the politics and
military stratagems that brought about the end of World War
II.
This book presents oral histories from the last surviving UK veterans of the Korean War. With the help of the UK National Army Museum and the British Korean Society, this book collects nearly twenty testimonials of UK veterans of the Korean War. Many only teenagers when mobilized, these veterans attempt to put words to the violence and trauma they experienced. They recall the landscape and people of Korea, the political backdrop, and touching moments in unlikely situations. Like other oral histories of war, their stories recount friendship, hardship, the loss of innocence, and the perseverance of humanity in the face of cruelty. The testimonies were taken by academics and students from the University of Roehampton, and supported by the National Army Museum and the British Korean Society. Through their memories we learn a great deal about the conflict in macro and micro scales.
Tuskegee Airmen 1941-1945 shares the memories of 22 original Tuskegee Airmen and their experiences as African American combat aviators during World War II. Filled with photographs, combat records, mission reports, official correspondence, newspaper clippings, and the personal annotations of the original document owners, Tuskegee Airmen 1941-1945 provides a singularly unique resource for anyone researching the history of these legendary aviators. The first aviation class of Tuskegee Airmen, which comprised 13 cadets, began at Chanute Airfield in Rantoul, Illinois, on July 19, 1941. These cadets received ground school training in subjects such as meteorology, navigation, and instruments. Successful cadets then transferred to Tuskegee Army Air Field in October 1941 to complete pilot training. From 1941 to 1945, more than 900 pilots were trained at Tuskegee, receiving their commissions and wings. Tuskegee also graduated a group of twin-engine pilots assigned to the 477th Bombardment Group. These black navigators, bombardiers, and gunners of the 477th were trained at Army Air Corps bases located elsewhere throughout the United States. Tuskegee Airmen 1941-1945 is organized in a format similar to that of a high school or college yearbook. A significant difference is that unlike in a school "Annual," the authors of this historical book have covered a four-year period recording, highlighting, and commemorating the accomplishments of their fellow Tuskegee alumni. This narrative has a manifold purpose, which has interwoven threads of deeds, actions, thoughts, and ideals into one composite story. It goes inside the lives of many of the surviving Airmen, recounting stories of racism within the military alongside the Airmen's tenacious heroism. Tuskegee Airmen 1941-1945 is a must-read for any serious student of American military, aviation or civil rights history of the 20th century.
The Boys of Benning highlights the lives of fourteen graduates of a 1962 Infantry Officer Candidate School class-before, during, and way after OCS. These men came from all across America to compete for officership in the United States Army. They emerged victorious from the crucible of OCS, and went on to serve our nation-in and out of the Army. Twelve of these fourteen men served combat tours in Vietnam. Most were wounded in action there; some more than once. They were point men in the so-called Cold War. For them, it was often hot war. Beyond the battlefields of Vietnam and the long war's divisive impact on American unity, these "Boys of Benning" persevered in their patriotic duty. They rose to the challenges and opportunities of higher rank and responsibility with confidence born from competence. Whether they remained in uniform-as most did-or left the Army to pursue civilian careers, the men whose stories leap from the pages of The Boys of Benning exemplify the time-honored traditions of Duty-Honor-Country. Despite their diverse backgrounds and subsequent achievements, they share a common bond, forged at Fort Benning and strengthened by their long service to our nation and their respective communities, where they continue to serve with distinction. The Boys of Benning is a treasure trove of exemplary leadership that far transcends the military milieu with valuable lessons for all who aspire to pursue excellence in their personal and professional lives. Advance Praise for The Boys of Benning The Boys of Benning is an American story. It captures the experiences of a diversity of Americans who were brought together more than half a century ago by a shared ambition to become commissioned officers in the United States Army. Its pages unveil the greatness of the Vietnam generation. Stories are told with remarkable candor. A deep sense of adventure, dedication to country and duty, bravery in battle, and a contagious sense of humor are found in this book. It was an honor for me to be in the midst of these men more than 50 years ago and their stories fill me with pride. I strongly recommend this book. Powell A. Moore Former OCS Tactical Officer Former Assistant Secretary of Defense
This comprehensive work explores the militia system and its role in the development of colonial New England. Ahearn contends that the militia and the military sermon created an atmosphere of Christian soldiery and warfare that exercised a powerful, long-lasting hold upon New Englanders. Ministers reinforced martial drill and militancy in their sermons. The language and attitudes of warfare became part of the society. New England's military sermons deeply encoded the biblical language of Christian warfare into the patterns of everyday life and into the fabric of American consciousness; its influence continues to the present day. The study is organized into three major sections. The first part introduces the New England colonial institution of the part-time military, furnishing an overview of origins, organization, and operation. Part Two demonstrates the ways in which the tradition of aggressive martial discourse helped to galvanize colonists to militant resistance and prompted New England's aggressive responses to real or perceived enemies in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The third part of the book addresses the main branchings in the pattern of martial argument in the third quarter of the eighteenth century, as well as three different strands of the military sermon. The Rhetoric of War is a unique study that will be of value to students of American history, religion, and rhetoric.
In this extraordinary book, 15 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor tell the stories of the actions for which they received their awards. The stories themselves present true examples of valor, courage, and sacrifice. More than stories, however, they recount moments of significance in the life of our country. The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest award given to American servicemen for valor in battle. Only slightly more than 200 recipients of the Medal of Honor are alive today. In this extraordinary book, 15 recipients tell the stories of the actions for which they received their awards. Heroes from the Marines, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force recount their stories of action in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Together, their stories present a definition of heroism in battle. Individually, they are fifteen profiles of the Hero. The stories, based on interviews with the recipients and written by Kent DeLong, the attending physician of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, are well-told and exciting. They present true examples of valor, courage, and sacrifice. But they are more than just stories. They are the oral history of significant moments in the life of our country.
It was an unbelievable mission - to rebuild Iraq while the U.S. military was fighting a raging insurgency. In 2004, the soldiers and civilians of the Gulf Region Division (GRD) answered the call to duty and began the largest and most complex reconstruction project ever undertaken by our nation. They made great personal sacrifices that few of their fellow Americans would dare endure. This book tells the rest of the inspiring story - much of which was ignored by the mainstream media as "not newsworthy" or reduced to mere sound bytes. In the face of imminent danger, the GRD team braved daily car bombs, rocket attacks, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and kidnappings to rebuild thousands of projects throughout a chaotic war zone. These projects spread throughout a hostile country included schools, hospitals, police stations, oil production, electrical power and water treatment plants. Despite the odds, GRD was able to complete its critical strategic mission, and its members were awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation. A few of the amazing stories include: - A massive car bomb on author's first day in Baghdad that leveled a nearby hotel. - High speed "Mad Max" drives through the streets of Baghdad in unarmored SUVs. - The dependence on security contractors who performed with great valor while protecting American civilians. - The perilous war waged on the reconstruction mission that was largely invisible to U.S. combat forces and the American public. - The accidental rescue of an American hostage. - Living and working in Saddam's great palaces. - How a Yahoo email message was used to send an urgent plea for help. - A daring rescue mission in the Tigris River that ended in tragic loss. - The parade of Congressional Delegations that diverted precious combat resources from the war effort. - The unbelievable (but true) story of how a Yahoo email account is used to send an urgent message to the author to "PLEASE SAVE US." About the Author: Kerry Kachejian is one of the nation s most qualified soldiers and engineers, having served in and supported reconstruction operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan as well as relief operations during Hurricane Katrina. A 1982 graduate of the US Military Academy (West Point), Kachejian also holds a Master s Degree in Systems Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He is a Distinguished Graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces earning a second Master s Degree in National Resource Strategy. Kachejian has numerous military decorations, awards, and qualifications, including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Action Badge. He was presented the Bronze de Fleury Medal by the Army Engineer Association and the Reserve Award for Leadership Excellence a national award presented annually by the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). He is Airborne and Ranger qualified. Kachejian recently retired from the Army Reserve, holding the rank of Colonel. He currently supports the U.S. defense industry. He has spoken at a number of major conferences and private events on topics, including the Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, the Psychology of Terrorism, Contractors on the Battlefield, and Critical Infrastructure Protection. Kerry, a native of West Chester, Pennsylvania, lives with his wife Alice and three children near Springfield, Virginia.
The gender barrier that stood for nearly two centuries at the United States Military Academy was toppled in 1976. Based on more than one hundred interviews, thousands of pages of Academy documents, and a wide array of secondary sources, this is the first comprehensive history of what the admission of women at West Point meant for the Academy, for the Army, and for the United States. The story of how West Point prepared for the precedent-setting arrival of women has never before been thoroughly told. Given the current interest in the role of women in the armed forces, and the attention focused on The Citadel and VMI when they admitted women, this is a topical story that will appeal to a general audience. Janda explains how and why female cadets were admitted to West Point and how they responded to the challenge of confronting 175 years of all-male Academy tradition. He argues that neither feminists nor Congress forced the Academy to change standards for women, and that Academy leaders were pioneers in exploring the implications of bringing women into formerly all-male military academies. "Stronger than Custom" also examines the sacrifices made by the first women cadets at the Academy, each of whom confronted an array of personal and professional hurdles on the road to graduation. When 62 of the original 119 women who entered the Academy in 1976 graduated four years later, they did so in triumph.
What if you could combine the agility, adaptability, and cohesion of a small team with the power and resources of a giant organization? When General Stanley McChrystal took command of the Joint Special Operations Task Force in Iraq in 2003, he quickly realized that conventional military tactics were failing. The allied forces had a huge advantage in numbers, equipment and training - but none of the enemy's speed and flexibility. McChrystal and his colleagues discarded a century of conventional wisdom to create a 'team of teams' that combined extremely transparent communication with decentralized decision-making authority. Faster, flatter and more flexible, the task force beat back al-Qaeda. In this powerful book, McChrystal and his colleagues show how the challenges they faced in Iraq can be relevant to any leader. Through compelling examples, the authors demonstrate that the 'team of teams' strategy has worked everywhere from hospital emergency rooms to NASA and has the potential to transform organizations large and small. 'A bold argument that leaders can help teams become greater than the sum of their parts' Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit 'An indispensable guide to organizational change' Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs
He was Born in New Jersey in 1933 and only dreamed of being a military man. Marrying shortly after high school, he joined the army in 1956 and was dispatched to Vietnam in 1963 when America still seemed innocent. Jim Thompson would have led a perfectly ordinary, undistinguished life had he not been captured four months later, becoming the first American prisoner in Vietnam and, ultimately, the longest-held prisoner of war in American history. Forgotten Soldier is Thompson's epic story, a remarkable reconstruction of one man's life and a searing account that questions who is a real American hero. Examining the lives of Thompson's family on the home front, as well as his brutal treatment and five escape attempts in Vietnam, military journalist Tom Philpott weaves an extraordinary tale, showing how the American government intentionally suppressed Thompson's story.
An innovative addition to the literature of military studies, this exploration of the issues of legitimacy and commitment in the military focuses on the contemporary military situation, critically analyzing current "fault lines" and future trends in this area. The editors, Thomas C. Wyatt and Reuven Gal, contend that post-World War II wars are "different" from the two wars preceding them, that the nontraditional wars in Algeria, Vietnam, Pakistan, Lebanon, the Falkland Islands, and Grenada, among others, can be characterized by issues of "national concensus" and "home support," political debates, moral argumentations and counterargumentations, demonstrations and alienation, and conscientious objectors. In such wars, weapons systems, training, and tactics become secondary to issues of legitimacy and commitment. Military organizations, too, are different in that they are now prepared not only for wars but also for peace and peace-keeping missions that consist of police-type or constabulary tasks. Also, the "volunteer army" has largely replaced the army composed mainly of conscripts, and these better-educated soldiers are different in that they will examine carefully the sources of military legitimation before furnishing the unconditional commitment that is the backbone of the military fighting spirit. The volume's eleven chapters were contributed by an international group of leading behavioral scientists who write from the perspectives of a wide scope of disciplines, including psychology, sociology, history, philosophy, anthropology, and military studies. The work is divided into three main parts that focus on some of the theoretical puzzles inherent in the combination of military ethicsand moral values; assess sources of legitimacy and commitment; and detail the manifestation and measurement of commitment and legitimacy in a variety of nations and organizations. The subjects of conscientious objection, educational benefits, the Army Reserve, and the Vietnamese, U.S., Soviet, and Israeli armies are a few of the intriguing topics scrutinized here. As a whole, Legitimacy and Commitment in the Military provides an essential collection for the military student, the scholar, the soldier, and military professionals who aspire to leadership. The various individual chapters offer unique insights for students and researchers in the fields of ethics, history, anthropology, and the behavioral sciences.
Cultural practices and artifacts, in their multiple and varied forms, are grounded on values, which are so deeply internalized by people that usually remain in the background, as taken-for-granted guides for interpretations and decisions in everyday life. Shaping individual moral horizons is at the core of socialization processes, through which older generations aim to disseminate their culturally established values to the new ones, making use of suggestions mainly implicit in daily experiences and interactions. Despite the strength of these processes of cultural canalization, people find particular ways of positioning and interpreting social suggestions, drawing singular life trajectories and developing themselves as unique beings. This is truthful also in case of highly institutionalized settings like the military, in which people play in many forms an agentic role in their own development, being prepared to perform their professional duties in very complex and challenging activity contexts. This book is an invitation to dive deeper into human experiences lived in the military through qualitative and in-depth approaches, observing their affective qualities, the meanings they acquire and how they shape individuals' identities, fostering the development and try-out of specific ethical and moral values. The present work can contribute to research and professional practice in fields related to human development, social processes, education and people management in the military, as well as in other institutional contexts, especially by highlighting the affective, meaningful and moral-ethical dimensions of cultural experiences.
Tom Hanks introduces the "remarkable" (Publishers Weekly) true story of two inseparable friends and soldiers portrayed in the HBO (R) miniseries Band of Brothers. William "Wild Bill" Guarnere and Edward "Babe" Heffron were among the first paratroopers of the U.S. Army-members of an elite unit of the 101st Airborne Division called Easy Company. The crack unit was called upon for every high-risk operation of the war, including D-Day, Operation Market Garden in Holland, the Battle of the Bulge, and the capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden. In his own words, Guarnere gives a gripping account of D-Day from the paratrooper's perspective. Both men vividly re-create dropping into Holland to capture the roads and bridges between Eindhoven and Arnhem, known as Hell's Highway. Through much of 1944 both friends fought side by side-until Guarnere lost his right leg in the Battle of the Bulge and was sent home. Heffron went on to liberate slave labor and concentration camps and capture Hitler's Eagle's Nest hideout. United by their experience, the two reconnected at the war's end and were inseparable up until their deaths. Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends is a tribute to the lasting bond forged between comrades in arms under fire and to all the brave men who fought fearlessly for freedom. Includes photographs
Published as a tribute to the late Stanley Sadie, these eleven essays look at compositional and performance matters, consider new archival research and provide an overview of work since the bicentenary in 1991. Words About Mozart is published as a tribute to the late Stanley Sadie, musicologist, critic and editor of The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Of the eleven essays presented here, three focus on compositional matters: Julian Rushton examines the dramatic meaning of a recurring motif in Idomeneo; Elaine Sisman sifts through the facts surrounding the genesis of Mozart's 'Haydn' quartets; and Simon Keefe matches up pairs of piano sonatas and concertos on the basis of their common compositional features. Cliff Eisen considers some problems of performing practice posed by the solo keyboard parts in Mozart's concertos, and Robert Philip surveys tempo fluctuations in a selection of historical recordings. Felicity Baker's detailed analysis of aspects of the Don Giovanni libretto is a welcome contribution from the field of literary criticism. Three studies offer new archivalresearch: Neal Zaslaw uncovers the background to one of Mozart's nonsense compositions; Dorothea Link examines the Viennese Hofkapelle and creates a new context for understanding Mozart's court appointment; and Theodore Albrecht proposes a candidate for Mozart's Zauberfloetist. Christina Bashford considers an aspect of Mozart reception in 19th-century England connected with John Ella, and Peter Branscombe presents a comprehensive overview of research published since the bicentenary in 1991. The volume includes a full bibliography of Stanley Sadie's publications and broadcasts. Contributors: THEODORE ALBRECHT, FELICITY BAKER, CHRISTINA BASHFORD, PETER BRANSCOMBE, CLIFF EISEN, SIMON P. KEEFE, LEANNE LANGLEY, DOROTHEA LINK, ANDREW PORTER, ROBERT PHILIP, JULIAN RUSHTON, ELAINE SISMAN, NEAL ZASLAW
A penetrating analysis of the changing and interacting worlds of work and family life in the U.S. military, this volume extends the concept of the organization man to focus on the organization family. Based on the most recent literature and research on work and family dynamics in the military services today, the contributors examine such issues as the special problems of dual career couples and single parents, the challenge of rebuilding military communities, and the influence of family factors on the workplace. Taken together, their essays advance our understanding of the nature and dynamics of the work/family interface. This work also presents some significant policy implications for military leadership and family life professionals interested in forging a more productive partnership between the military organization and the military family. The book is divided into three major sections, each of which addresses a key aspect of work and family life: work and family linkages, the problems of special population groups, and the organizational response to family-level issues in the workplace. Each chapter provides a theoretical and/or historical perspective on the topic under study as well as presenting the latest empirical research in the area. Throughout, the contributors draw relevant comparisons between the military and civilian employment sectors, making the book invaluable for advanced students of military and family sociology, contemporary family patterns and issues, and public policy.
The Sociology of the Military is an authoritative selection of articles providing an historical overview of the field and illustrating the major directions of contemporary research. The book considers the forerunners to a sociology of the military and the research trends in America and the rest of the world. Topics covered include models for comparative research, the military profession and the relationship between military and civil society. Finally, the book explores new roles for the armed forces in our changing world.
Large data sets arriving at every increasing speeds require a new set of efficient data analysis techniques. Data analytics are becoming an essential component for every organization and technologies such as health care, financial trading, Internet of Things, Smart Cities or Cyber Physical Systems. However, these diverse application domains give rise to new research challenges. In this context, the book provides a broad picture on the concepts, techniques, applications, and open research directions in this area. In addition, it serves as a single source of reference for acquiring the knowledge on emerging Big Data Analytics technologies.
The process of military change management must be as well planned and as well led as any other military operation. This book considers the complex and challenging area of change management within military organizations. While the military can learn a lot from the wealth of existing civilian management literature, the unique circumstances of most military organizations often require different approaches. With an understanding of the important factors involved, military planners can approach change through a means that allows them to harness the inevitability and power of change to achieve their own ends. The management of change within a military organization is neither a fire and forget process nor one that military leaders should avoid. In many respects it is like other operations. Leaders must first understand the nature and shape of the change battlefield that they are facing. On this battlefield they must dispatch their forces against those who will seek to oppose change. Through examination of various processes of change within the military, civilian managers will learn how change has succeeded or failed in organizations whose bottom-line is the physical safety and security of the countries and the people that they protect.
Food is critical to military performance, but it is also central to social interaction and fundamental to our sense of identity. The soldiers of the Great War did not shed their eating preferences with their civilian clothes, and the army rations, heavily reliant on bully beef and hardtack biscuit, were frequently found wanting. Nutritional science of the day had only a limited understanding of the role of vitamins and minerals, and the men were often presented with a diet that, shortages and logistics permitting, was high in calories but low in flavour and variety. Just as now, soldiers on active service were linked with home through the lovingly packed food parcels they received; a taste of home in the trenches. This book uses the personal accounts of the men themselves to explore a subject that was central not only to their physical health, but also to their emotional survival. -- . |
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