FORT BENNING, Ga (May 14, 2014) -- Col. Mike Kershaw, a former commander of 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and most recently the director of training for Installation Management Command at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, visited Fort Benning May 9 to speak to a group of Maneuver Captains Career Course students about his experiences in command during deployment.
Kershaw spoke extensively about his time in Iraq, including his role as a ground force security commander during the April 2003 operation that rescued American prisoner of war Pfc. Jessica Lynch.
The operation was the first successful rescue of an American POW since Vietnam, and Kershaw said that fact was not lost on he and the other Soldiers who took part.
"We were certainly aware of the significance of it," Kershaw said. "We had great support from the Marines in what remains to this day one of the toughest fights I've ever seen. They were honest with us about their successes and failures, which were instrumental in us executing the mission."
While Lynch's rescue garnered national media attention, Kershaw said that it was another aspect of the mission that left a lasting impression.
The operation also recovered the bodies of eight American service members from graves beneath a soccer field near the hospital compound Lynch was held in.
"The most difficult part ... was being on the ground for two or three hours recovering the remains of American service members," Kershaw said. "That was what we, frankly, had not been prepared to do until the last minute when we were notified. ... When I recall that mission, the challenge of recovering those remains and ensuring their return to proper authorities is what stands out."
Kershaw also spoke about his views on successful combat leadership.
"I learned three things early on as a leader, and I've used them to evaluate since then," he said. "One, you've got to be able to articulate how we're going to get whatever we're going out to do done. ... So, formulate a plan.
"Two, you have to take care of your people. There aren't missions without people. These people are what make our Army what it is today. ... Finally, you've also got to be able to step back and apply perspective."
Kershaw, who will retire at the end of May after 34 years of service, also encouraged the MCCC students to cherish their time as company commanders.
"The thing you're about to go do, which is command Soldiers, I guarantee you cannot find a general officer worth his salt who would not trade places with you at the drop of a hat," Kershaw said. "There is nothing more rewarding than the personal type of leadership that you're going to be able to both practice and experience in the next couple of years. ... You may wait on staff longer than you want or you may stew in a job that you didn't think was important, but these are things that we all have to do. What you're about to do, I would argue, will be a transformational event for most of you in your lives."
With his retirement nearing, he said being able to visit Fort Benning one last time while in uniform was a privilege.
"As you reflect back on 34 years in uniform and 30 years as a commissioned officer, certainly Fort Benning has played a huge role in my development as a leader, so it's a humbling experience to be asked to come back and make a contribution," Kershaw said.
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