Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Alexis Mulero | Corporal Kenny S. Leon, an embarkation clerk with Marine Corps Security Cooperation...... read more read more
Subscribe
GETTYSBURG, Pa. - More than 40 Marines and Sailors from Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group (MCSCG) honored the Battle of Gettysburg’s 150th Anniversary by conducting a staff ride of Gettysburg National Military Park, May 29 – 30.
According the Maj. Scott Benninghoff, the unit’s logistics officer and main coordinator for the trip, “this staff ride formed one part of MCSCG’s professional military education (PME) program.”
“The study of history, leadership, and military decision making is a valuable part of any PME program,” said Benninghoff. “We are fortunate to live in a region (Mid-Atlantic Region) that is rich in history from two wars and our Commanding Officer wanted us to take advantage of that fact.”
For one Marine in particular, the trip was especially memorable. During last year’s Marine Corps Ball season, Lance Cpl. Alexander McLemore played the role of a Civil War Marine during the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command’s uniform pageant, and this year he got to visit this historic Civil War battle site.
“I personally enjoyed the PME,” said McLemore, who is a native of San Diego, Calif. “I went somewhere (Battle of Gettysburg site) that most people never get a chance to, and I'm at the perfect age where I can appreciate past events that scoped the way we live today.”
According to all, the educational experience of the trip was enhanced by the wisdom and experience of the staff ride guide, Retired Air Force Col. Fred Wieners, who is a licensed battlefield guide at the Gettysburg National Military Park.
Colonel Wieners combined his leadership experience with his academic prowess as a former instructor at the National War College to provide an exceptionally led and facilitated staff ride.
He clearly knew that the command would have learning objectives for this trip and asked early in the planning for this event what those objectives were and crafted his presentation to meet those objectives.
“Some might find it difficult to draw lessons learned from the Civil War and apply them to MCSCG's Security Cooperation mission,” said Benninghoff. “However, Colonel Wieners understood that for Security Cooperation planning and execution to happen effectively, leaders at all levels need to be able to perform their own critical analysis of complex situations and seize the initiative, make decisions, and maintain momentum within the broad guidance of senior leaders.”
“He was able to draw out many examples from Gettysburg that highlighted the positive effects of such action and the detrimental effects of inaction,” Benninghoff continued. “Building relationships is also a critical function of Security Cooperation. Whether those relationships are within the same large organization or with partner nations, the importance of understanding the culture, background, and perspective of others was highlighted throughout the Battle of Gettysburg.”
“I learned a lot, felt a lot and thought a lot. I especially enjoyed how thorough the tour guide was,” added McLemore, who is an administrative clerk at the command. “He really planted a detailed picture of the battle to the point where I felt like I was there.”
Over the last few years, MCSCG has conducted similar visits to other sites as well. Some of those sites include; Yorktown Battlefield, Richmond National Battlefield Park and even as far away as Belleau Woods, France, after the unit supported the Georgia Deployment Program – International Security Assistant Force’s mission rehearsal exercise in Hohenfels, Germany.
“The resources available here (Mid-Atlantic Region) allow us to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of the lessons available through the study of history by actually walking the grounds where history was made,” added Benninghoff. “We could not have done this event without the exceptional and generous support of the Marine Corps University Foundation Professional Military Education Program. They funded the lodging and educational expenses for the trip and allowed a large group of Marines to attend with the only expense incurred by the Marine being the cost of food.”
Marine Corps University Foundation (MCUF) was founded on June 25, 1980 as a private organization operating exclusively for educational purposes for the then Command and Staff College, now the Marine Corps University.
In 1996, MCUF formally expanded funding beyond the University at Quantico and began supporting the Operating Forces and Supporting Establishment with the Command Support Program. This program provides funding to more than 84,000 Marines worldwide. The PME Program provides funding for battlefield studies, staff rides, visiting scholars and other professional military events.
Information about the program and how to apply can be found at the following webpage: http://www.mcuf.org/programs_command.html. Units may request funding once per calendar year for a PME event.
“Our focus here at the University is to provide funding above and beyond what the government can afford, to make MCU a "World Class Institution," said Kimberly Niero, Director of Program Support at MCUF. “In the same manner, our funding for Marine units is to help them in pursuing excellence, and educating their minds. While training educates the body, and helps one be ready to tackle the known, true education prepares the mind for the unknown, and being able to think in any situation. Our purpose is to pick up where the government can't- to provide the extra that allows the Marines to truly stretch their minds.”
In this time of possible sequestration, MCUF services may be even more necessary, as many governmental programs are being cut.
“There are a number of really great Marine nonprofit organizations out there,” added Niero. “Ultimately, ours (MCUF) is the only one though, that focuses solely on active duty Marines, and the preparation of their minds. Our goal is to prepare them so that they are ready for any situation, "Armed with Insight!"
| Date Taken: | 06.10.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.10.2013 12:28 |
| Story ID: | 108398 |
| Location: | GETTYSBURG, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 140 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Marines Study Historic Battle to Hone Leadership Skills, by GySgt Alexis Mulero, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT