Title: The Real Soldier
Author: Agboola Samson Oluwatosin
ISBN- 13: 978-1495308765
Publisher: Lulu.com
By Salamatu Sule
The Real Soldier is a psychological nonfiction book written by Agboola Samson Oluwatosin.
It explores in specific, the cognitive behavioral personality traits and blends of Officers, personnel, Aircraftmen and ratings within the framework of the Nigerian Military setting.
What informs the author to examine the different environmental, psychological attitudes and attributes of these groups of personality types is born out of the fact that he the author grew up in a barrack and has had various contacts with each of the groups, thus understanding their cognitive universe.
In this book of two hundred and twenty pages, Agboola tells readers not to be judgmental about the personae of these groups from a distance but the need to look inward to understanding the different environment they are coming from because whatever shapes the life of the personnel, is not domiciled in the service but has been a character trait about whom he truly is even though the current status regulates them.
He puts it succinctly this way: “It is only at intervals that the true ‘colors’ of a soldier, rating, or aircraftman are noticed.
His past influences what he is now and how that interferes with his output in the service, within his command or unit.
” (The Real Soldier) The author using a psychological approach and descriptive analysis explains clearly about the seven types of personality traits as well as the components, factors and complications embedded therein.
He observes that personality misfi ts or mismatch can lead to a disastrous destinies and affect not just the workforce of the soldier but ruin his relationships with family and friends.
He maintained that for every Austere, Timorous, Caustic, Service chameleon, Euphoric and Conceit, there is that certain environmental, education, religious, and physical forces that must have shaped his capacity as well as flaws in his work unit or dealings with other people outside of work.
He brings to our knowledge about what inform the personnel, soldier, rating or aircraft man to being a chronic drunk, meek, confidence, lackadaisical, debtor is nothing other than his personae and not the service or place of work.
Agboola believes that family background and lack of self realization of individual personality type plays a role in this regard.
A personnel who comes from an extended family background or monogamous homes sure can be easily figured out as to why their conceit nature and if burdened by a wrong blend as companion can lead to their destinies.
Providing an introduction into the environmental and family life style of the seven personality types, he defined what makes up the personality types; looking at six categories of components which includes Social life and integration, religious life, environment, physicality, educational strength and other special consideration.
He says the Conceits come from monogamous homes but lacked that parental love and guidance, but often like to follow that trail in future. In other words, they are being nurtured as loners.
The caustic do not usually like his parents for certain reasons or factors and the repressed come from that extended home where he strives for himself.
The service chameleon usually do not follow trail of parent being from a military background, a loner like the conceit, he adapt easily.
For the case of the
Timorous, he is timid and usually not loved even though; he had that opportunity to have lived with his parents.
The Euphoric he maintain may come from any of the family background while the Austere come from poor family background but is usually shouldered with lots of responsibilities.
In the cause of fi
guring out the differences in their capacities, proficiencies and weakness about the performances of the different personality types, Agboola proffers positive match making solutions known as personality blends for each and every personality types towards their behavioural modification and rehabilitation while also encouraging on the need for individual realization and self reinforcement to become better persons, Personnel, Soldier, Rating and Aircraft men even after retirement from service.
For the terrible Euphoric and Service Chameleon, there is need for therapist and psychiatrist to continually educate them especially towards reshaping their qualities of life for the better.
It is also important for personnel to identify his or her traits and work towards positive improvement both in his place of work and managing of his home.
What ever the case may be, this book shows clearly the nature of the personnel and how not nurturing it starting from the home can lead to a serious controversy.
This book is a must read for both men who are still active in service and others working towards retirement as it will go along way to reshaping their personal life including their relationship with others including working towards building a better homes and future.
Readers would strongly recommend, the book, The Real Soldier for all Military and Paramilitary schools as it would go a long way to shaping and reshaping thoughts as to the identification of the various personality types for positive reorientation.
