What is the value of a Staff Ride to personal and professional individual development as well as for the unit?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 May 2017 09:35:41 -0400

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2017 9:46 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 May 2017 09:46:30 -0400

I am a big believer in Staff Rides, but sometimes it seems they are not utilized to their greatest effect. Being in Europe now, I plan on using them to affect as many as possible!

Response by SGT David T. made May 15 at 2017 11:50 AM

SGT David T. — Mon, 15 May 2017 11:50:42 -0400

I think Staff Rides are very important. As a student of history, I have learned that war typically doesn't change all that much. Sure, the names, uniforms, locations, and technology change, but war itself does not. To be effective on future battlefields, it is important to study history to know what was done before. Very few challenges leaders face are truly unique. Most of the time, some leader, somewhere has encountered a similar situation in the past. A good example of this was when my unit adopted hillbilly armor on our vehicles during OIF 1. A Vietnam era gun truck sitting in the Transportation Corps museum became the inspiration for our home made armor kits. I am very much in favor of any opportunity to teach our leaders history. It is scary how few leaders study history.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2017 4:54 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 May 2017 04:54:22 -0400

I have uses these resources to help frame the many Staff Rides I have been part of:
http://www.history.army.mil/StaffRide/Staffr/staffr.html
https://www.nps.gov/ande/planyourvisit/upload/conductofthestaffride.pdf
http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/csi/docs/The%20Staff%20Ride%20Overview%20(2%20AUG%2013).pdf

The Staff Ride

Cover: The Staff Ride, painting by Don Stivers, courtesy of the Command and General Staff College. The original was a gift to the college from the centennial class of 1981 and hangs in the main lobby of Bell Hall at Fort Leavenworth.

Response by MSG Michael McKenzie made May 16 at 2017 2:10 PM

MSG Michael McKenzie — Tue, 16 May 2017 14:10:25 -0400

Sir, In my humble opinion, it is important to know where the unit cam from. t's history, traditions and legacy. Also, staff rides help you evaluate the tactical, operational and strategic importance of events and how leaderships shaped that event. I think it helps provide insight and develop critical thinking. Lastly, those who do not heed the lessons of the past are doomed to repeat them.