FORT SILL, Okla. -- Since 2005, the Combat Studies Institute has provided the Army with a new platform for leader development with virtual staff rides.
On Dec. 11, Gary Linhart and Florian Waitl, two CSI instructors, came from Fort Leavenworth, Kan., to hold a virtual staff ride with over 70 leaders of the Lethal Strike Battalion, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery at the Fort Sill Conference Center.
The rides feature 3-D imagery produced largely from satellite photographs, video and first-hand accounts from participants.
"My objectives were two-fold: first, to expose leaders to the virtual staff ride as another example of using simulated gaming platforms to train while reducing costs in an increasingly fiscally constrained environment," said Lt. Col John Dawber, 3-2nd ADA battalion commander. "Second, to execute battalion-level leader development by studying battles conducted in the contemporary operational environment with emphasis on leader intellect, adaptability and agility using historical battles focused on principles of war."
The three battles studied were Checkpoint 541, Ambush of the 507th Maintenance Company and the Palm Sunday Ambush. They were prime examples of what a Contingency Expeditionary Force (CEF) may face within an austere environment. With the battalion postured to assume the CEF mission in the coming months, the staff ride served as a training tool to help participants think outside the box.
"Attending this staff ride helped me to better understand the challenges faced by leaders," said 2nd Lt. Sallena Samuel. "It demonstrated the importance of Soldiers to remain prepared because anyone could find themselves at a critical point where a decision must be made."
At the conclusion of the ride, participants gained insight into operating within a contemporary operational environment and learned the importance of being prepared.
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