How do two men who grew up in the same neighborhood, with the same last name, end up with two completely different life paths? The boys’ lives begin similarly in a poverty stricken neighborhood. They were exposed to violence and drugs, and both grew up without a father. One was able to overcome his life circumstances, and the other became another statistic. Being in a challenging situation is a way to test one’s character, and often your ability to be a leader. The common read, The Other Wes Moore, reveals multiple different leadership styles through different characters. Colonel Bratt, Joy, Westly, Tony, and Mary, depending on their circumstances and relationships, are defined by their leadership roles, actions, and positions. These characters
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He had twenty six years of experience, served all over the world, and “when he saluted it seemed like the force of his entire body went into it” (93). As much as Wes didn’t want to be impressed by this man, he was. After Wes’s last attempt in trying to escape, he finally broke down. Wes was found by Sergeant Austin, and was led back to the camp with the members of the chain in Sergeant Austin’s command. Once he arrived, he went straight to Colonel Bratt’s office. Colonel Bratt saw that he was “broken and dead-eyed” (93). He then realized that if he didn’t bend the rules and let him call home, he would lose Wes for good. Staying in military school is a major turning point for Wes because it turned his life back around. Valley Forge was a place where Wes learned the true meaning of respect, and Colonel Bratt was a leading representation of it- “I started to understand that I was in a different environment. Not simply because I was in the middle of Pennsylvania instead of the Bronx or Baltimore. It was different psychological environment, where my normal expectations were inverted, where leadership was honored and class clowns were ostracized” (96-97). Colonel Bratt maintained his leadership by the relationships he had. Not only did he teach Wes honor, respect, and compassion, but also
He had twenty six years of experience, served all over the world, and “when he saluted it seemed like the force of his entire body went into it” (93). As much as Wes didn’t want to be impressed by this man, he was. After Wes’s last attempt in trying to escape, he finally broke down. Wes was found by Sergeant Austin, and was led back to the camp with the members of the chain in Sergeant Austin’s command. Once he arrived, he went straight to Colonel Bratt’s office. Colonel Bratt saw that he was “broken and dead-eyed” (93). He then realized that if he didn’t bend the rules and let him call home, he would lose Wes for good. Staying in military school is a major turning point for Wes because it turned his life back around. Valley Forge was a place where Wes learned the true meaning of respect, and Colonel Bratt was a leading representation of it- “I started to understand that I was in a different environment. Not simply because I was in the middle of Pennsylvania instead of the Bronx or Baltimore. It was different psychological environment, where my normal expectations were inverted, where leadership was honored and class clowns were ostracized” (96-97). Colonel Bratt maintained his leadership by the relationships he had. Not only did he teach Wes honor, respect, and compassion, but also