FORT JACKSON, S.C. (Aug. 28, 2014) -- Officers and noncommissioned officers of the 165th Infantry Brigade traveled to the Chickamauga battlefield in Georgia last week for a three-day staff ride as part of the brigade's leader development program.
The purpose of the staff ride was for the Soldiers to study the famous Civil War battlefield and gain insight into their own military profession. For two days, the members of the Lightning Brigade conducted briefs on various aspects of the two Civil War armies and toured the grounds of the battle that occurred in September 1863.
The tour was supported by two instructors from the Combat Studies Institute at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, specializing in military staff rides.
Col. Bryan Hernandez, the 165th commander explained the purpose of the trip.
"The intent of the trip was to allow our leaders to study a famous battle, look at decisions made by the Civil War military leaders and how they influenced the outcomes of the conflict, study the impacts of terrain on tactical operations and look at the impact of technology, tactics and mission command," Hernandez said. "These are all critical factors in our professional development, and the staff ride provides us a venue to reflect on the past in our preparation for the future."
First Lt. Christel Sacco, the brigade's intelligence officer, said the staff ride was educational on many levels.
"The Chickamauga battlefield staff ride was a sobering, educational experience," Sacco said. "Not only did we study the personalities, actions and decisions of many Civil War generals, but we were able to walk the open terrain, which surprised many of us. To me, comparing the tactics, communications, weaponry and logistics of 1863 to those of today's advanced Army was extremely enriching and fascinating."
Soldiers who took part in the staff ride included brigade, battalion and company-level leaders. Several drill sergeants and special staff members also participated, including Capt. Mark Starchman, the brigade's staff judge advocate.
"For me as a judge advocate supporting the 165th, the staff ride was a great opportunity to engage with my supported organization's leaders away from command updates and legal briefs," Starchman said. "The historical tour also provided me with a better appreciation for how battlefield success can hinge on effective leadership and coordinated communications."
The brigade plans on conducting another staff ride next spring.
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