The interior of the UH-60 Black Hawk was dark to avoid presenting a glowing image in the night sky. Gunners on either side of the helicopter manned machine guns, maintaining a constant vigil for enemy threats. Below, the rugged Afghan landscape, devoid of any speck of man-made light, was even darker. I could just make out hills, valleys, and an occasional mud-brown compound. Inside the aircraft it was cold, and I pulled my parka tightly around me. The army-issue gear was far better than it had been in the early years of my career, but lately I seemed to feel the cold more than I had back then. It was 2009 and at fifty-five, I wasn't the young lieutenant I'd been thirty-four years earlier. At best, I was a well-worn version of the officer who had spent so many nights like this one alongside warriors.
- From My Share of the Task: A Memoir by General Stanley McChrystal
3 comments:
Michael,
Have you read this book and would you recommend it? How about for my 16 year old son who is interested in pursuing admission to Westpoint or the Air Force Academy?
Bob,
I just got my copy the other day but I'd definitely recommend it based on the parts I've read. I intend to read the entire book after finishing the General's most recent book, "Team of Teams." I've found that book to be fascinating.
"Teams of Teams" is more about leadership and management whereas the earlier book is a memoir.
Your son may find both of them to be of interest.
Another book he may like is "19 Stars: A Study in Military Character and Leadership" by Edgar F. Puryear, Jr. It's excellent.
Michael
Thanks Michael!
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