6. In stark contrast to some of the dubious attitudes and behaviors of a few of his subordinates, James McDonough presents a classic case of sturdy and courageous leadership. He showed immediate decision-making and tactical ability by calculating that dividing his time in a certain proportion between patrol and being back at base camp with the men was the proper course of action. He recognized the need to display his presence, knowledge, and resolve by accompanying every other night patrol (in which he allowed the sergeant control of the platoon) while spending a significant share of time establishing respect and report with the team. He achieved this by fine-tuning the SOP's relative to the circumstances presented at this time, such as enforcing proper hygiene in a field environment, monitoring weapons maintenance, and setting a standard morale code in a relatively lawless land of strife and despair.
7. As an officer, he felt he needed to establish an ethical backbone of behavior in the field when passions can be so inflamed by the dogs of war, to inculcate a cultural awareness of the people and places and ensure among his men a recognition of the value and dignity of human life even as they took it away. He also emphasized this code of honor on base as evidenced by his transferring of Hernandez mainly because of the rape issue. He knew there could be no real trust with Hernandez and that his actions set a horrific precedent for the platoon that must be eliminated. Further, he showed a wonderful aptitude for tactical creativity on the battlefield. In one instance, he noticed that by his men shouting out obscenities while under heavy fire they were able to draw the enemy out with undisciplined retaliation in the confusion and so eliminated many of them. He did this several times until the Vietcong realized what was happening; when this tactic became ineffective, he dropped it for something else.
