MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. - The raid on Osama Bin Laden’s Pakistani compound came alive through the words of a guest lecturer, who shared insight on details of the mission at Breckinridge Hall on Nov. 13, 2013.
Author Mark Bowden sat across from Christopher Harmon, Ph.D., the Maj. Gen. Matthew C. Horner Chair of Military Theory, answering questions about his various works such as, The Finish: The Killing of Osama Bin Laden and Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War.
“I was flattered to be asked and delighted to accept [the invitation to be here],” said Bowden, journalist, screenwriter. “I enjoy doing it, and am fascinated and delighted that people enjoy reading it and want to talk to me about it.”
Bowden was one among several who visited the Marine Corps University as part of a lecture series. Among his career as a writer for many newspapers and magazines, Bowden has won numerous journalism awards and several books.
“[These events are designed] to add to the content and the core of some of the classes and courses that the students are enrolled in,” said Dr. Kimberly Florich, Marine Corps University faculty development and outreach coordinator. “We have had some widely known speakers such as Jörg Muth, Ph.D., author of Command Culture: Officer Education in the U.S. Army and the German Armed Forces, 1901-1940 & Consequences for World War II .”
Bowden shared his thoughts with more than 100 people during the 90-minute public event.
“[These events] are something that I think people should look into and attend,” said Florich. “It shouldn’t be viewed as just another guest speaker, but they should look at what is being presented and who it is that presented it.”
Bowden, was glad to have the opportunity.
“I try to attend events that I think are useful,” said Bowden. “I enjoy the conversation and hope the students and staff enjoy it and take something from it that they can use.”
For those interested in future events, Lt. Gen. Robert Schmidle, deputy commandant of Aviation, will be lecturing at Little Hall on Dec. 4, 2013, at 7 p.m. Information about other events can be found on the MCU website, www.mcu.usmc.mil.
Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil