Posted on Feb 6, 2015
Commander's Reading Lists and Guided discussions.
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In another thread about Favorite Military Books, I mentioned the essay, A Message to Garcia. Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS commented which in turn, brought up the topic of guided discussions.
How many of us have gone that extra step and encouraged our peers and subordinates to not only read the recommended articles, novels, and essays...but foster understanding and comprehension through discussion?
How many of us have gone that extra step and encouraged our peers and subordinates to not only read the recommended articles, novels, and essays...but foster understanding and comprehension through discussion?
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Mentorship Personal Development
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 2
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Hmm.. Deja Vu.....Deja Vu...
I was introduced to the concept of Guided Discussions in a class at my first unit (3/1) by one GySgt D.S. Roberts (S2 Chief). I later ran into him (as a MSgt) at MARFORRES.
He actually gave a class on Guided Discussions, by giving a Guided Discussion to the S2 & Scout Sniper Platoon, which was pretty awesome. Very Meta of him.
There's a lot of down time at a Infantry BN, and he was a firm believer of "filling" the time with classes. Some of those classes would be at the E-Club, and he'd have us give presentations, lectures, discussions, etc. But one of the cool things that he and the Scout Sniper Plt Sgt would do is make it fun, or invite guest from other Platoons so it didn't feel like a class.
I always tried to do the same, when I ended up giving classes. A lot of classes end up just being "boring" because there is little interaction. It ended up helping me out when I went to an Instructor billet at my next command.
I was introduced to the concept of Guided Discussions in a class at my first unit (3/1) by one GySgt D.S. Roberts (S2 Chief). I later ran into him (as a MSgt) at MARFORRES.
He actually gave a class on Guided Discussions, by giving a Guided Discussion to the S2 & Scout Sniper Platoon, which was pretty awesome. Very Meta of him.
There's a lot of down time at a Infantry BN, and he was a firm believer of "filling" the time with classes. Some of those classes would be at the E-Club, and he'd have us give presentations, lectures, discussions, etc. But one of the cool things that he and the Scout Sniper Plt Sgt would do is make it fun, or invite guest from other Platoons so it didn't feel like a class.
I always tried to do the same, when I ended up giving classes. A lot of classes end up just being "boring" because there is little interaction. It ended up helping me out when I went to an Instructor billet at my next command.
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As a side note, I don't believe that all material should be Military concentric. There is much to learn from a wide source of material. Granted, our chosen profession has some unique and particular aspects, but overall - even the simplest, unassuming rock can sharpen the spear tip and attain victory.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Ender's Game is a great example of one that wasn't necessarily military-centric. It has military themes, but it is essentially taking place at a "school."
In the other thread I mentioned Heinlein. Starship Troopers is a military themed novel, however its major theme is philosophical in nature. Franchise comes with Service. The discussion has come up more than once on RP as to whether the President (or elected officials et al) should be required to have military service experience. This novel in particular addresses this concept.
I'd recommend him, and his collected works just to grease the mind's gears.
I'd also recommend the works of Sir Terry Pratchett. Satire is amazing for making people think of commonplace government actions in a new light. Specifically the Watch series, and Monstrous Regiment, as they do have a tad more military themes to them, though any of his "city" books can get someone thinking about policy.
In the other thread I mentioned Heinlein. Starship Troopers is a military themed novel, however its major theme is philosophical in nature. Franchise comes with Service. The discussion has come up more than once on RP as to whether the President (or elected officials et al) should be required to have military service experience. This novel in particular addresses this concept.
I'd recommend him, and his collected works just to grease the mind's gears.
I'd also recommend the works of Sir Terry Pratchett. Satire is amazing for making people think of commonplace government actions in a new light. Specifically the Watch series, and Monstrous Regiment, as they do have a tad more military themes to them, though any of his "city" books can get someone thinking about policy.
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