This paper uses the Army platoon, as exemplified in the novel, "The Things They Carried", to examine the interactions, roles,
conflicts, and the
leadership among that characters that make the group a success. The author points out that the most widely accepted theory of group leadership is the Transformational Leadership Theory, which states that people can choose to become leaders and can learn leadership skills; in the book, Jimmy Cross is the "implied leader". The paper relates that Army officers use the
autocratic leadership style because of the high-stress, crisis nature of the military, where decisions must be made quickly; but, in the case of characters, Sanders and Cross, group members may resent an authoritarian leader and refuse to abide by his word.