Military Reading Lists

I am always on the lookout for reading lists, especially ones that 1) speak to the parents of young children to get them interested in books and 2) speak to high school students and adults to get them to think critically and expand their knowledge/understanding of a broad range of subjects.  Last week, I received a flyer from my local Navy Exchange.  In it was the latest ad for the Navy Professional Reading selections.  I have checked these lists before and have always found some great books here.  This time, while perusing the U.S. Marine Corps Professional Reading List, I found this:

Effective immediately, Commanding Generals and Commanding Officers are to incorporate the new lists into the command and unit professional military education programs.  Each Marine is required to read teh Commandant's Choice, First to Fight:  An Inside View of the U.S. Marine Corps by Lieutenant General Victor H. Krulak, USMC (Ret).  Each Marine shall also read a minimum of one book per grade per year.  I strongly encourage Marines to discuss and debate the issues raised by the books on this list to broaden their perspectives and benefit from the experiences of others.  These discussions, conducted professionally, should unite Marines of varying ranks by providing a common literary frame of reference.  Completion of this requirement shall be noted in the individual Marine's proficiency/conduct remarks or fitness report, as appropriate.  How a Marine demonstrates completion of the annual requirement is at the discretion of the command.

Did you catch that?  Each Marine has to read at least two books per year, one from their rank reading list and the Commandant's selection.  For a recruit, that amounts to 1004 pages across just three books.  That is not light reading.  Did you also catch that the completion or non-completion of this assignment is recorded in their professional service record?  I wonder if they get a reprieve from this requirement during combat tours.

Anyway, my purpose in posting this resource is to give the parents of high school students some ideas for books that they may wish to have their children read.  To access all the military professional reading lists, visit the National Defense University Library Professional Military Reading List.  To read any individual list, just use one of the links below.  A quick note:  these lists contain more than just military strategy books.  They also include some classics like 1984 by George Orwell and All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque.  Enjoy!

U.S. Army Chief of Staff Professional Reading List
U.S. Navy Professional Reading List
U.S. Marine Corps Reading List
Chief of Staff of the Air Force Reading List
Coast Guard Commandant Reading List
Joint Forces Staff College Commandant Professional Reading List