Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jason Epperson | Sgt. Maj. Raynard Shannon, senior enlisted noncommissioned officer assigned to the 4th...... read more read more
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BAUMHOLDER, Germany - Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division Mission Command Element left Smith Barracks early in the morning by bus, headed for Luxembourg as part of a staff ride designed to understand the historical aspects of the Battle of the Bulge, Nov. 2, 2015.
The two-day staff ride allowed participants a chance to understand military concepts, tactical decision-making and to study past leadership styles during one of the biggest and bloodiest battles of World War II.
The Battle of the Bulge was the last desperate offensive launched by Hitler to try to win the war by splitting the allied forces in Northwest Europe, December 1944.
Sam Doss, president of CSM Solutions, INC. and military historian, led the participants of the battlefield staff ride throughout Luxembourg, particularly the south shoulder of the Battle of the Bulge, where 4th ID fought over 70 years ago.
“The 4th Infantry Division had fought in the Battle of the Bulge, as well as other battles, but in particular the south shoulder Battle of the Bulge, so we studied the 12th Infantry Regiment of 4th ID in those battles,” Doss, a native of Leesburg, Virginia, said. “We also saw some battlefields of some other units that were neighbors in the Battle of the Bulge. The 28th Infantry Division was just to the north and a combat command brigade of the 9th Army Division was also north of the 4th ID.”
Doss said this trip was unique due to the participants being primarily junior enlisted soldiers.
“This was an opportunity for young soldiers to get the type of training usually reserved for a colonel, commanding a brigade headquarters along with his principle staff officers,” Doss said. “This staff ride was primarily for the benefit of the younger soldiers to get a chance to visit the battlefields of Europe.”
“It was a great opportunity for the younger soldiers to see real battlefields of their forefathers in the 4th Infantry Division and then carry on some lessons learned into their future military careers,” Doss said.
US Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.) William Harrison, assigned to the 4th ID MCE, said he thinks soldiers are able to understand what was going through the mind of a typical soldier back then under very harsh conditions.
“The soldiers are also able to gather some ‘lessons learned’ that they will be able to apply to their own service in preparation for future combat,” Harrison, a native of Baltimore, Md. said.
“What a privilege it was to come and have a knowledgeable historian walk us through and help us tie those lessons together,” Harrison said. “From what I understand, we are the first group to go with junior enlisted soldiers and it was a real plus for us letting them get the exposure that senior leaders typically get to [experience]. It was a real success for the 4th ID concentrating on our junior enlisted.”
One junior enlisted appreciated the chance to experience the rare opportunity.
“I feel like I’m in a very unique position,” said Spc. Jashon Banks, a human resource specialist assigned to 4th ID MCE. “I understand this is more of a senior level event, but being a lower enlisted and actually seeing all of this gives you that motivation that makes people want to stay in the military and to continue to serve.”
“I learned a lot about infantry units such as the 4th ID, 28th ID and other units that were here. I also learned about tankers and strategic plans we used in battle to help us achieve victory,” Banks, a native of Chicago, said. “It was interesting to learn how many divisions are still standing to this day and the equipment adjustments we have made over the years.”
The MCE’s visit to Luxemburg included The National Museum of Military History and key battle sites in the cities of Berdorf, Echternach, Osweiler and Lauterborn as well as the German Military Cemetery in Sandweiler. The battlefield staff ride concluded at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, the final resting place of Gen. George S. Patton, former commander of 3rd US Army. Members of the MCE participated in the American flag-lowering ceremony at the closing of the day.
| Date Taken: | 11.10.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 11.10.2015 09:46 |
| Story ID: | 181542 |
| Location: | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US |
| Hometown: | BALTIMORE, MD, US |
| Hometown: | CHICAGO, IL, US |
| Hometown: | LEESBURG, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 257 |
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