David Lipsky - Absolutely American

Fantastic book, absolutely. Now granted it probably isn't for everyone. West Point and its history has always been of interest to me...throw in that I went to a sister academy and well it is always interesting to see how the other guy compares. The honesty and forthrightness of this book is impressive. There was no sugar coating and the writer held to it by really letting people know the inside scoop. Having taken place from 1998 to 2002, it really encompasses an important time for our military. Vast changes really filtered down and the incidences in it really give a microcosm view of what it means to be in the military. The interesting part to me is that officer's who ran the academy basically saw real combat and that filtered into the academy. Up until 1991 - 1992 it had been 20 years since any real combat occurred and I believe the academies changed in regard to this. With new combat hardened officers things begin to change again. I was amazed by some of the vendettas these officers had about letting certain cadets slip through the cracks. Additional things that I took from the book was the following quote:

"Army's downsizing before Desert Storm I, 1 million personnel then a drawdown the service contracted down to a lean 490,000. The result worked like a science experiment: halve the space and you double the competition.. It was like opening the door to admit one of the worst elements form the civilian world: there was no time to watch each other's back when you are busy watching your own"

This quote is so incredibly true. There aren't many officers today really willing to stand for anything. They are by the book, boring, just trying to maintain status quo. Desire to get through 3 years at one post without screwing up and ruining a career. A real shame and the business about the Lt Col standing up for one of his troops and having his career ruin even though he was the essence of West Point for a few years...devastating. One of the many frustrations I saw on a day to day basis while in the military. A real shame that "professionalism" has turned the military into corporate USA.