Commander's Reading Lists and Guided discussions.

MSgt Michael Durkee — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 10:49:39 -0500

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?

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 6 at 2015 11:08 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 11:08:19 -0500

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.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Feb 6 at 2015 12:42 PM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 12:42:57 -0500

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.