Hazardous Duty

Hazardous Duty chronicles Colonel David Hackworth's military career from his early days in the Korean War through his time in Vietnam. As a combat commander, Hackworth details his experiences leading troops and developing unconventional warfare tactics. The book provides an insider account of military operations, training methods, and command decisions during key moments in both conflicts. Hackworth's narrative focuses on the realities of combat leadership and the challenges of preparing soldiers for war. The memoir includes Hackworth's observations about military bureaucracy, strategic decisions by top brass, and the evolution of U.S. military doctrine during the Cold War era. His accounts cover both battlefield experiences and behind-the-scenes interactions at various command levels. Through his personal story, Hackworth examines themes of military reform, institutional resistance to change, and the human costs of war. The book serves as both a military memoir and a critique of military leadership culture during a pivotal period in American military history.

Readers appreciate Hackworth's direct, no-nonsense writing style and his insider perspective on military bureaucracy and leadership failures. Many veterans relate to his accounts of systemic problems in the Army and praise his proposed solutions. Positive reviews focus on: - Detailed documentation of waste and mismanagement - Practical recommendations for military reform - Firsthand examples from his career - Clear explanations of complex issues Common criticisms: - Repetitive content with his other books - Too much focus on personal grievances - Some claims lack sufficient evidence - Writing can be disorganized Ratings: Amazon: 4.5/5 (131 reviews) Goodreads: 4.1/5 (208 ratings) Notable reader quote: "Hack tells it like it is - the good, bad and ugly of our military leadership. His solutions make sense but sadly were ignored." - Amazon reviewer "Sometimes comes across as bitter score-settling, but his core arguments about military reform are sound." - Goodreads reviewer

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🎖️ David Hackworth was the youngest full colonel in Vietnam War service and earned eight Purple Hearts during his military career. 📚 The book reveals that Hackworth initially fabricated his age to join the Merchant Marine at 14, and later the U.S. Army at 15, serving in the Korean War. 🗣️ After becoming a vocal critic of the Vietnam War's management, Hackworth was forced to retire from the Army and lived in self-imposed exile in Australia for nearly 20 years. 🏅 During his military career, Hackworth earned over 90 decorations, making him one of the most decorated soldiers in modern U.S. military history. 📖 "Hazardous Duty" was written as a follow-up to Hackworth's bestselling memoir "About Face" and focuses on his role as a military journalist and commentator after his return to the United States.