More Praise for
Adjust Fire
Michael Mannske, Author of "Foreign and Domestic”
You've got to hand it LtC Baumann. Retired or not, it
takes a lot of brass for an Army officer to lay bare the
ludicrous leadership missteps that have adversely
impacted our attempts at tackling the Iraqi insurgency
for the past several years. From his crack artillery
battalion being ordered to park their MLRS rocket
batteries and instead patrol the mahallas
(neighborhoods) of Baghdad as untrained infantry to the
forced "environmental" leaves that left his force
rudderless in times of crisis, Baumann chronicles the
tragicomedy his unit had to live through as they tried
to forge a coherent victory plan for their little corner
of Iraq. Despite Washington. Despite the Pentagon.
As a military history buff, the facts and figures of ROE
and policy decisions interested me greatly, but it was
the poignant human interest stories revealed by the
colonel that gripped me the most. The body blow Baumann
took when his Number Two has a nervous break down their
first day in-country and refused to fight. The defeat
and guilt he felt with every soldier's death. The
heartwarming bond he formed with his Iraqi "terp",
Freddie, and the uphill battle he had trying to bring
him back to America with him. Not to be compared to the
gut-wrenching diary entry left by PFC Brandon Cantwell
in Chapter 1.
Chevelle P. Malone “The Real Deal”
This mix of policy and humanity make Adjust Fire a
keeper. While you might not agree with everything
Baumann says (e.g. his chapter on women in combat), you
can't argue with the grit and sweat he and his men
endured and the sacrifices they made for one simple
principle: love of country.
Operation Iraqi Freedom is a fluid war that most of the
public has no real clue about- this book is a way for
anyone to really see what is happening in Iraq. It's not
like the movies- it's decades (or so it feels like) of
boredom inter-dispersed with moments of pure terror. LTC
(RET) Baumann does an amazing job of putting you right
there- having to deal with the tediousness of day to day
operations, doing things the right way, while at the
same time fighting an enemy that doesn't follow any type
of conventional rules or laws. The struggle in Iraq is
difficult to fathom, but by reading this book anyone can
get a solid foundation for the struggle for freedom in
Iraq. To be honest... this was my experience. I have
been to Iraq twice now (28 months total), I am a woman
in the military- this is my story too. I read this book,
and this is what I have experienced. I'm not Infantry,
I'm just a Soldier who did her job and this is Operation
Iraqi Freedom as I know it. I hope everyone gets a taste
of the intricacies of this war, even if it's simply
reading this book.
Eric Bunkers “Great Book!”
Retired Lt. Col. Baumann tells his story and experience in Iraq
with raw descriptions and emotions. This book was an eye
opener for me since my only source of the events in Iraq
have been through the media, who are not involved as
intimately as Lt. Col. Baumann. Retired Lt. Col. Baumann
was there, he tells it like it is.
The solutions to problems in Iraq are in this book. The
book is not politically charged, and there is not a
disdain for our President that many media outlets carry,
it's an open and refreshing way to look at the war in
Iraq. Critical suggestions in this book of how the Army
operates in Iraq to combat the insurgents are healthy
and good if new problems want to be solved.
Brian Salie “Best book by a soldier on the Iraq War”
I recently read, ADJUST FIRE, by LTC (RET) Michael Baumann, and
give it the highest rating and recommendation for its
insight, relevance, scope, and accuracy. Everyone
recognizes that truth is the first casualty in war; and
that chaos, violence, weariness, and fog define the
climate of any war. However, Mr. Baumann explains better
than anyone can how a US Army rocket artillery battalion
could end up patrolling the streets and farms of south
Baghdad, Iraq with the expectations of winning a
counterinsurgency for a nation that expects results
yesterday in a culture that functions on its own
timeline and agenda. Additionally, he is masterful in
his approach to explaining all of the factors and
conditions that led up to this situation, how he managed
to lead this complex effort, and provides realistic
conclusions and recommendations on how best to achieve
results. I personally served with Mr. Baumann, so I can
confirm the accuracy and precision of his statements,
conclusions, and credence of the book. I highly suggest
anyone purchase/read this book interested in seeking a
clear picture left out of most media sources; and
potential answers to questions on how best to leave Iraq
on favorable terms while illustrating factors to
consider prior to embarking on the next expedition.
By J. Dodge “The Real Deal”
If you want a reality check on Iraq, turn off the news and read
this book. Having worked for LTC Baumann (Ret) in the
past I can assure anyone that he is the real deal when
it comes to straight talk on what needs to be done to be
successful in Iraq. The book cuts to the chase and gives
an honest perspective on the process on transforming an
Artillery Battalion to essentially an Infantry Battalion
and how to get the ball moving in the right direction in
Iraq. Many books written by Iraq Vets are more war story
based...this book lays out LTC Baumann's (Ret) thought
process and the many challenges he and his BN overcame.
It is a must read if you want a clear honest view on one
Battalion Commander's successful tour in Iraq.
Anthony L. Jackson “Rocket 6G”
I had the privilege to be LTC (RET) Baumann's Gunner while in Iraq.
However this book opened my eyes to far more than what I
had experienced personally. Reading this book I now have
a better understanding as to why I am again in Iraq, and
still we have not yet won the "war." LTC (RET) Baumann
really shows that he is a truer man than most. He admits
to his short-comings, and tells the truth to the bests
of his ability. If you want the true inside story of how
this war is run, and what can be done to improve our
battles. This is the book you should read. Bravo Mr.
Baumann, Bravo.
T. Hammer “The Heart of the Matter”
Curious about the nitty-gritty of the fight in Iraq? Adjust Fire is
your book. Read it, and you huddle with a bona fide
military leader, a careful war scholar, and a
“mind-blowingly” committed, hard-working, innovative
human being. LTC (R) Baumann's devotion to defeating
Iraqi insurgents and launching elections both inspires
and does you in. But his retelling of commanding in
Baghdad is a roller coaster you want to ride because you
get to be there. Watching him polish his victory plan:
to respectfully deal with local society and attempt to
change mindsets while simultaneously re-tooling his
unit, struggling against military inadequacies, and
squaring off with all things sinister.
I swore Baumann would lose me through the technical
segments (I'm a military dimwit), but he systematically
tutors you on the contest, the players and the
background (weaving in his personal story) and you're
engaged and on your way. You're sobered by the fact that
winning requires radical change and profound sacrifice,
but buoyed by the prospect that democracy can take hold.
L. Cardona “To understand the challenges of Iraq, you must read
this book”
This is an extremely insightful book by an author who, while
serving in Iraq, recognized the indicators for the
insurgency occurring around him. This book also provides
a glimpse into the composition of the United States Army
and how ill-prepared and configured they were to fight
an insurgency.
What I found particularly remarkable about this book was
the author's ability to recognize the different phases
of the insurgency and a strategy for each while dealing
with the day to day security operations and traumatic
events of commanding a unit in Iraq.
This book was well written and clearly presented the
challenges faced by a Rocket Artillery Battalion
Commander charged with establishing a safe and secure
environment for the Shia and Sunni Muslims in Baghdad,
Iraq. This book describes the different challenges of
today's war, as compared to the Gulf War of the 90's,
and it does it well. I highly recommend this book to
anyone wishing to understand the complexities of
performing combat operations, diplomacy, and
counter-insurgency
operations simultaneously
Charles Flint “Adjust Fire: Not Just Transforming to Win in
Iraq, but for the Future”
LTC (R) Mike Baumann tells an incredibly compelling
story of the challenges of preparing his Field Artillery
battalion and ancillary supporting units for true
Cavalry/Infantry operations in Iraq. His ideas for the
transformation of the Army and its Leadership
Development programs is about 10 years ahead of the
Department of the Army, and should be considered for
implementation by the highest military leaders. He
"gets" what it will take to make the progress we
desperately need to achieve in order to give the Iraqis
even a chance to succeed at governing themselves.
Baumann provides very detailed insight into his units
experience with women in direct combat roles, and
frankly has changed many of the preconceived notions
that I held on this subject. The females under his
command did themselves proud in their service, and this
is a largely untold success story in the American press.
The pride in his soldiers is evident, and while he
undoubtedly had some superb junior Officers and Non
Commissioned Officers in his command, they were truly
fortunate to have a leader like LTC Baumann who
developed and enforced standards that I'm convinced did
much to ensure that the vast majority returned safely.
He led from the front, and that has always been my idea
of how a leader should operate.
Finally, I recommend this book to anyone that wants to
learn the behind the scenes details of what preparing
for, and fighting the insurgency in Iraq was like.
