Posted on Jul 18, 2015
CW4 Brigade Maintenance Technician
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Growing up, many people probably didn't pay too much attention during history class, but as a Military Leader, should you engage yourself in Military history to enhance your skills as a Leader?
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Responses: 23
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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History is Context. Context is essential for Critical thought and Decision Making, which are Leadership skills. Military History is just a tailored version, providing specialized context, which in turn grants better insight when applied to leadership skills.
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CW4 Brigade Maintenance Technician
CW4 (Join to see)
9 y
Great response. Thought provoking material in the form of Military history or history in general is vital in development of our overall cognitive ability to comprehend knowledge and info.
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MAJ Keira Brennan
MAJ Keira Brennan
9 y
Excellent comment
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SFC Health And Safety Trainer
SFC (Join to see)
9 y
Interesting perspective. I totally agree that history should be observed to learn lessons.
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LTC Bink Romanick
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
9 y
Best comment on this thread! LOL!
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
>1 y
Guess He didn't study very well and learn any lessons from the History of Napoleon and Russian winters. That sure is a good post !
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SSG Intelligence Sergeant
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I would say yes; you do need to know history in order to be a better leader. It helps you know exactly why certain things are done the way they are. We as military professionals stand on the shoulders of giants. In the promotion board, both NCO history and Army history was hit on pretty hard as it I think it should be at all boards. When a few of my soldiers went to a board specifically for intelligence specialists, they were focused a lot on actual intelligence doctrine and publications but once they got there they were blindsided by a lot of questions about famous past intelligence professionals both in the military and out. (If you're doing it right, you talk to more than just other Army intel guys- you talk to people throughout the Intelligence Community such as the CIA, DIA, NGA, NGIC as well as the other military services.)
I'm not saying you need to have a degree in American or world history or that knowledge by itself makes you a better leader than someone else who may be more technically proficient, but it goes a long way.
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CW4 Brigade Maintenance Technician
CW4 (Join to see)
9 y
Great response. Do you think the majority of young SPC, SGT's and SSG's primarily only learn Military history to be successful for the promotion or SOY/NOY boards?
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SSG Intelligence Sergeant
SSG (Join to see)
9 y
I was studying the history of my unit the moment I had orders. I wanted to know what exactly I was getting into and I wanted to know what kind of missions my unit have had in the past. This is something I did as an E2 and actively encouraged all of my friends to do at the time. For me personally, it was not just for board knowledge, but it was for pride and situational awareness. Knowing where we have failed in the past can help us succeed in the future. This goes not only for intelligence and civil affairs, but also for infantry, logistics, and all facets of the military. I know a few other SMs who study history for no other reason than having a genuine interest in it, but sadly most others just do so when it shows up as part of the MOI for a board or it is part of a special assignment.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
9 y
To quote Sgt Shultz "I know Nothing, Nothing". Yeah you can learn a thing or two from Military Intelligence Folks. Respectfully Cryptologic Technician Communications First Class Chip Nagel. Yeah I carried a DIA "Get out of Jail Free Card" (Courier Card) the last third of a 21 year career. Some deep thoughts going on here.
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