THE ARMY UNIVERSITY, FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. - The Army University’s Command and General Staff College inducted two new military members to the International Hall of Fame; Commodore Errington R. Shurland, Chief of Staff, Barbados Defence Force and General Javier Iturriaga Del Campo, Commander in Chief of the Chilean Army, Oct. 31, 2023, at the Lewis and Clark building on Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
Since its establishment in 1973, the CGSC IHOF has inducted nearly 300 military officers representing 80 nations.
Nominees are selected based on their distinguished service that has helped them achieve the highest level of leadership within their respective militaries.
“The inductions of Commodore Shurland and Gen. Inturriaga’s today represents the fulfillment of the potential that resides in each student in the military education institution as a direct return on the investment made jointly by our respective militaries and the professional military education of our officers,” Lt. Gen. Milford H. Beagle, Jr., commandant, CGSC said. “Today we celebrate alliance capability and credibility and commitment. Something as necessary as now, as any other time in our history.”
Shurland, a graduate of the Class of 2002 and classmate of Beagle’s, is the first inductee from the nation of Barbados.
He has served since 1984 with his career culminating in his appointment to Chief of Staff to the Barbados Defense Force in September 2021, the first naval officer to serve in this position.
Throughout his career, Shurland has represented Barbados at every level of military service and his leadership is and will remain important as the U.S. and Barbados relationship moves forward, Beagle explained.
Shurland joked that while most claim CGSC is the best year of a young officer’s life, his time can’t be labeled as such wholeheartedly due to a missed first wedding anniversary, tragic events of 9/11, and a historic ice storm.
He continued that the lessons learned while at CGSC 21 years ago have made lasting impressions personally and professionally.
“It was impactful and a significant professional development program that I’ve ever undertaken on my military career,” Shurland said.
He mentioned lifelong lessons in diplomacy and experience in joint, interagency collaboration.
The two lessons he’s taken with him for the entirety of his career include not to seek perfection, and dispute remediation and diplomacy.
“Perfect is the enemy of good enough, is a phrase he [then Commandant Gen. James Sitright] used during an introductory speech to us back in 2002,” Shurland said. “That phrase provided me and I’m sure some of my classmates with some critical guidance.”
Shurland explained seeking perfection often ties up progress to completing tasks.
The second lesson was the impact of the events of 9/11 on the class which included 91 international students representing more than 70 students.
“The current deputy was responsible for managing that situation. He did so with a calm reassurance,” Shurland explained of how the tragic events were explained during the 2002 CGSC. “He managed to resolve concerns and disagreement and conflict in a very constructive way. He encouraged ‘creative tension’ and for a difference of opinions to be share.”
The creation of a space to share conflicting ideas and opinions in a professional, constructive environment was recognized by the international student population who would later address the leadership’s actions in a letter of reflection and condemnation of the actions against the U.S.
Beginning his military career four years before Shurland, Inturriaga’s would take him to positions at every level of the Chilean Army to include his current as Commander in Chief of the Chilean Army.
In 2017, he gained notoriety as he commanded military forces during a national state of emergency during devasting wildfires of Santa Auga.
Since returning to Fort Leavenworth after 18 years, Inturriaga has also reflected on his time at CGSC and its impact on his career.
“My time as an international student of the class of 2006 afforded me the opportunity to complement and enhance my character and knowledge as a field grade officer and throughout my career,” he said.
The CGSC experience was a “key factor” to help him achieve one of the highest levels of his career.
The experience includes the professionalism of the teachers and professors who were part of his CGSC time.
“They acknowledged the experience of our differences that would improve the quality of their lessons and was demonstrated for their respect to our opinions and customs,” Inturriaga said.
He closed his remarks thanking his sponsors and with a parting thought for those in attendance.
“Success is never the objective. Sometimes it is the result of hard work, loyalty and friendship between partners, to include within the Army.”
Inductees into the International Hall of Fame are presented gifts from the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars and the CGSC Foundation.
Additional photos from the event can be viewed on CGSC's Flickr or social media pages.
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