The Armed Forces Officer: Edition of 1950

by U.S. Department of Defense

"The Armed Forces Officer" is much more than a how-to guide for military officers. It is a series of candid, timeless essays on the nature of the people who occupy the ranks of the military services. "The Armed Forces Officer" highlights that our military is not just a collection of machines, processes, and regulations, but a very human endeavor whose proper understanding requires acknowledging that humans are what make our military the complex, potent, and wonderful organization that it is—a truth that can be applied to any organization, military or civilian, composed of people and all their mysterious complexities. This is a republication of the 1950 edition of "The Armed Forces Officer." This edition includes an introduction and notes by Colonel Robert E. Davis, USMC (Ret).

Genres: Leadership, War, History

244 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2013

Reviews

[Dio Handoyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was rather surprised that this manual written for the services is this unstructured in the way it presents the information inside (not to mention the somehow peculiar English used in the text - perhaps attributable to the period in which this text is written). In fact, this script forces the reader to pause after each chapter, reflect, and note down the main ideas within to be able to fully understand the content.

However, intended or not, this exercise in itself helps the reader internalize and memorize the pertinent information contained inside. And once one gets past the unstructured presentation, the content inside is full of guidelines and principles that are very much applicable now as it was applicable then, both in and out of a fighting establishment. This text reveals a lot about personal character and conduct, self-development, as well as the finer points related to the leading of men. An incredibly recommended read for everyone looking to better themselves in general consistently.

[Jake Hauser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking beyond the prejudices of the age which, regrettably, taint more than a few of its essays, this work engages readers with powerful maxims of leadership drawn largely from the true experience of those who fought and won the Second World War. In reading these pages one who has been in the field finds themselves nodding in somber reflection, and finding a special connection with the men who wrote this and the bits of wisdom they proffer.

An unlikely prequel to the 2007 edition, which is issued at the Service Academies today and which reads clinically; more like a manual than a book on leadership.

[Adam Gutschenritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read on leadership, its nurturing and uses in peace and conflict.

[Jeffrey Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough to get through, but a lot of really good stuff on leadership. Many underlines

[Nathan Kitzke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book!

[Mike Sim · Rating 3 out of 5]

More colorful than the modern-day version, which can make it simultaneously harder and easier to find material for formal/informal OPDs.