Staff Rides at the War College Prior to World War I: Their Use and Effectiveness
Abstract
The proper method of educating officers has always been a major concern of leaders in the Army. This study is designed to demonstrate the need for introducing the Staff/Historical Ride into the Army War College curriculum as a mandatory subject to teach officers how to think. It examines the historical perspective of the early architects of the officer educational system prior to World War I, and illustrates the effectiveness and use of the staff ride during this era. The purpose behind exploring the background and methodology of past staff rides is to reveal its original design; to examine the characteristics and scope of the staff rides; to illustrate that the concept of the staff ride has come historical precedence; and conclude that the idea could be integrated into the curriculum today, while avoiding the misperception of preparing for the wrong war. The historical data suggest that the officer students gleaned much from these exercises and that it was part of a well integrated curriculum designed to teach the officers how to think, rather than what to think.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 30, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA191515
Entities
People
- Domenic R. Sette
Organizations
- United States Army War College