The cadets of 1st Battalion D Company 2nd Platoon are looking to conduct a book club with The Fifth Act by Elliot Ackerman.

In their own words:

As a Platoon Leader of a platoon of freshmen at a military college, I’d like to impart as much knowledge and discipline on my cadets as possible. Your program seems like an excellent and unique training opportunity which I feel will set us apart from other similar CTC (Cadet Training Company) platoons. Specifically, the Fifth Act means more to us as one of our squad leaders has a father who was a Marine in Fallujah.

Despite a full course load as well as other duties, these cadets are willing to take on extracurricular activities in the form of a book club to learn and form stronger bonds with their history and legacies.

The Marines of 1st Plt, Chosin Co., V11 are looking to conduct a book club with Doyle Glass’ Lions of Medina.

In their own words:

Lions of Medina is a book about C Co V11 in Vietnam. In addition to the legacy aspect, this is applicable to my platoon because we are currently deployed in Okinawa. In lions of medina they are fighting in a jungle environment against a conventional and non-conventional enemy. This is a story I would like to explore with my platoon in a book club.

This is a great selection for this platoon because of the personal connection. By exploring the legacy of their platoon in previous conflicts, they will be able to foster a stronger sense of identity and pride.

The Marines at the Defense Information School are looking to conduct a book club with WAR by Sebastian Junger. In their own words:

We think this is a good initiative that not only helps with team building and getting Marines closer, it also makes them better educated.

Junger’s book covers his time spent embedded with 2nd platoon of Battle Company, part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in the Korengal Valley where he experienced intense combat while also delving deep into what it is about war that keeps soldiers coming back for more.

The Marines of MARFORRES Command Deck are looking to conduct a book club with We Were Soldiers Once… And Young by Hal Moore.

In their own words:

The NCOs that are sent to the Command Deck are high-performing admin and comm Marines. There is a continued need to challenge these Marines. Our work tempo is highly demanding alongside their interactions in a high visibility billet, drawing the need for structured, efficient, and focused time on PME to be developed.

We Were Soldiers Once… And Young is a landmark book of military history that offers these Marines a unique perspective into the way their skills play a role in ground combat through the legendary battle of la Drang.