Dumbledore's Army

SSG McDuffie’s displayed dedication to the training success of all soldiers in the unit by conducting the most trainings of any NCO in the Company. He encouraged a positive training environment by promoting teamwork and training more than 110 Soldiers in ACE Suicide Intervention. He expertly executed duties of Unit Master Driver and Ammo Handler to ensure Unit's success at the M-16 Qualification Range even after being transferred to another Unit. SSG McDuffie has assumed responsibility of…

The military draft, or conscription, has been used four times in American history during times of national and international conflict. Some people feel that the American government should reinstate the military draft. We should not reinstate the military draft because there is currently no need for a draft, the draft requirements are unfair and inconsistent, and those who are unwillingly drafted would demoralize the overall military with their lack of commitment and cause a break down of…

Interested in the bloody, action-packed Civil War? Then read the books Soldier’s Heart by Gary Paulsen and Red Badge of Courage by Steven Crane. The similarities between these two books are extremely uncanny. There are slight differences in the two books, though there are very few. These include the ages of the two soldiers, their origins, and minor differences in wounds. There is a heaping pile of similarities between the two novels that includes the war they fought in, all the way to both main…

This moment is the point in Ron Kovic’s life where he felt spiritually and physically broken. The quote sticks out because it is a clear example of surviving against all odds. During this point in the book, Ron Kovic was shot and needed help from his fellow soldiers in order to survive his near fatal wounds. The novel nears its end with Ron laying there at his lowest point feeling nothing at all, but this is a moment where he shows his true strength by being able to survive through it all. He…

People sometimes feel like after a particular event they will never be the same person again.. that is trauma. Trauma is something very difficult for people to go through. Trauma is not something people want to wish on anybody, not even on a person’s worst enemy. Trauma can be handled very differently depending on the situation. Likewise, shown in articles “The Sniper” by Liam O’Flaherty and “For Soldiers with PTSD, a Profound Daily Struggle” it contrasts how trauma can be shown in two different…

The Film A Few Good Men provides a lens through which to view the issues discussed in the articles "The Genocidal Killer in the Mirror" by Crispin Sartwell and "The My Lai Massacre: A Military Crime of Obedience" by Herbert C. Kelman and V. Lee Hamilton. The film depicts a classic struggle between moral correctness and militarized obedience. In "The Genocidal Killer in the Mirror," Sartwell describes that in certain situations and circumstances even the most moral people could be swayed into…

"The Ghost Soldiers" section of the novel familiarizes the reader with what wartime fears are, through O'Brien's perspective. He begins by discussing the two occasions in which he had been shot. The first had occured in Tri Bihn where he was treated by the medic Rat Kiley. When recalling this experience he says that he felt only a throb because the medic had taken care of him properly, most importantly he treated for shock. The next time he got shot he was treated by Bobby Jorgenson who was…

The war culture depicted in The Things They Carried greatly incorporates a value of the past. From the start of the story, the soldier’s reliance on the past is made apparent through their nearly unanimous collection of photographs. These photographs serve as a coping mechanism for the soldiers, reminding them of simpler times; however, the way the soldiers react to these photographs reveals a core component of their cultural values while at war. Specifically, Jimmy Cross carried a photo of…

from the British. Soldiers had to decide whether or not to run away before their term of enlistment was complete or stay and fight the British. Despite the extreme difficulties of inadequate shelter, clothing, and food, soldiers in Washington's army had a duty to stay at Valley Forge. Washington overcame the difficulties by bringing a congressional committee to help supply the soldiers, by fostering a positive atmosphere at camp, and by making soldiers aware of how they were needed, after…

War is a dark time, where both sides end up with scars. This is one of the many thought provoking realities that Pat Carr addresses in the story "Leaving Gilead". It's the kind of truth nobody thinks about until they're in the middle of a battle, and are seeing death on both sides. While peace can only be achieved through war, the aftermath isn't a happy ending for anyone. Nobody wins in war. In chapter 4, Renny sheds some light on the fact even if one side of the battle conquers the…