The Commandant's Professional Reading List (CPRL)
Discover the revamped CPRL, explore standout titles, and uncover lessons that shape Marines past and present. Profession of Arms (Part 1)
The Marine Corps Reading List has long been the go-to destination for organized and directive reading. In 2020, General Berger restructured it into the Commandant’s Professional Reading List (CPRL), shifting from rank-based recommendations to five categories:
Commandant’s Choice
Profession of Arms
Innovation
Leadership
Strategy
The previous list, organized by rank, remains a valuable resource with over 100 book titles. While we link books to Amazon for convenience, they are often available for free through DoD libraries, websites, or PDFs. Readers of The Military Reading Room may find these foundational titles worth exploring. We plan to address them in 2025 after we discuss the newer list.
So let's get started.
CMC Choice
The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare
By Christian Brose
The Kill Chain by Christian Brose critiques the U.S. military’s outdated reliance on legacy systems and processes, arguing they leave the nation vulnerable to modern threats. He calls for the immediate adoption of advanced technologies and innovative strategies to maintain a decisive edge in future conflicts.
This is a title that we previously reviewed. The review can be found here: The Kill Chain
Profession Of Arms (Part 1)
Marines at War: Stories From Afghanistan and Iraq
Edited by Paolo G. Tripodi and Kelly Frushour
Marines at War by Paolo G. Tripodi and Kelly Frushour brings together the personal stories of 10 Marines and a sailor who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, or both. The stories reflect on combat preparation, pivotal moments, and lessons learned. While deeply personal, this collection offers insight into the shared, ordinary experiences of Americans serving under extraordinary circumstances, capturing the resilience and spirit of the Marine Corps.
Black Hearts: One Platoon’s Descent Into Madness In Iraq’s Triangle Of Death
by Jim Frederick
Black Hearts by Jim Frederick is a harrowing account of the 101st Airborne’s 1st Platoon as it spirals into chaos during a brutal deployment in Iraq’s “Triangle of Death,” culminating in war crimes and unimaginable tragedy. The book exposes the fragility of leadership and character under the pressures of combat, serving as both a cautionary tale and a critique of military command.
First to Fight: An Inside View of the U.S. Marine Corps
By Victor H. Krulak
First published in 1984, First to Fight by LtGen Victor "Brute" Krulak (USMC) examines the foundation of the Marine Corps, offering an insider’s chronicle of Marines both on and off the battlefield. Drawing from his experiences in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, Krulak explores what it means to be a Marine and how the Corps has maintained its exceptional reputation over time.
Forgotten Warriors: The 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, the Corps Ethos, and the Korean War
By T. X. Hammes
At the outbreak of the Korean War, the Marine Corps was tasked with deploying an air-ground brigade in under ten days, despite no such unit existing at the time. Drawing from the severely undermanned 1st Marine Division and 1st Marine Air Wing, the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade was formed, deployed within six days, and engaged in combat just 96 hours after landing in Korea. Despite limited resources and facing numerically superior enemy forces, the brigade achieved victory in every engagement and played a critical role in securing the Pusan Perimeter.
Hesitation Kills: A Female Marine Officer's Combat Experience in Iraq
By Jane Blair
This memoir, the first by a female Marine about the war in Iraq, offers a rare firsthand account of combat and military life during the initial phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Drawing on her journal, Jane Blair captures the chaos of wartime Iraq, the daily challenges faced by Marines, and her fight for respect as a woman in a male-dominated military.
Tags: Reading Lists, USMC Reading List
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