Posted on Apr 8, 2014

History - Why it's Important for Today's Military

CW2 Jonathan Kantor

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Cards on the table, I have a BA in History and am working on my MA in History.  I consider history to be of extreme importance for the military.  Our Officers study books like The Art of War and others so that they can understand the history of combat.  I think it is also important for our enlisted Troops to learn about history as well.  As they say, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The best example of this that I have is Operation BARBAROSSA.  That was Hitler's plan for invading Russia... and it failed miserably (Which is a good thing).  Napoleon I tried the same thing in the 19th century.  You would think that Hitler would have known this and maybe changed his strategy a little bit but he didn't.  Not that I wanted him to succeed but it's a good example. Do you think that Soldiers should have a course in history during Initial Entry Training?  Why or why not? Do you agree with me that it is important?  Why or why not? Bottom line, I love discussing history and will be a teacher when I get out of the Army.  Use this thread to talk about any history topic you like and hopefully, the community here will engage--I know I will!

Posted in these groups: Herodotos met 91.8

History (Major) F3af5240

Military History

Posted 10 y ago

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Cpl Christopher Allen-Shinn

Posted 10 y ago

I'm a historian and a Marine Veteran. One of the things I loved about serving in the Corps was that they are fanatical about all Marines learning and mastering Marine Corps History, which greatly contributes to the development of our esprit de corps. Recruits begin learning this from their recruiters as poolees during the Delayed Entry Program, and their instruction continues with formal classes during Recruit Training at either San Diego or Paris Island. I don't know exactly how the Army would modify its training, but I would strongly suggest that they consider teaching their recruits military history, and respectfully submit that the Marines present a good model for them to emulate in that regard. We have a significantly longer boot camp than you do, but that allows us more training time for things like this, and I passionately believe that it was worth it for me!

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Cpl Eric Bourgeois

1 y

very well said sir.

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MSG Wade Huffman

Posted 10 y ago

This can, in my opinion, best be summed up in the words of George Santayana as published in "The Life of Reason"...

"Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. When change is absolute there remains no being to improve and no direction is set for possible improvement: and when experience is not retained, as among savages, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

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CPO Ed Ball

10 y

Those that fail to learn their lessons in history, are bound to repeat them. Which is a total waste of resources and manpower in most cases, not to mention tax payer $$.

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SFC Timothy Riser

Posted 10 y ago

I have a great respect for all history to include Military
History. I will admit the Air Defense Museum needs a lot of work to which my
Soldiers and I have donated numerous hours to cleaning and helping with exhibits.
I helped establish the history papers that we have the student complete and the
best is chosen and the author receives a COA at graduation. I went to BNCOC and
we had to write a historical paper on our time in combat. I have donated a few
artifacts to my 14G school house and to the ADA museum. I ask the Soldier
history questions not only about the military but overall American history for
instance… what is the most famous battle of the war of 1812/ what treaty ended
the war of 1812? When did the battle of New Orleans happen? Why is that
significant?

The other SGT Riser will most likely respond to this thread
and she is also a history buff, I have acquired for her to list a few

Most are displayed in her office and were mistakenly stolen
from her office due to the fact not even the museum had document like these.

Original hand written art. 15 for three AWOL soldiers Signed
by MG Leonard Wood

Manuals for Courts Martial from 1910 to present

Military Court summons,

I am so infatuated with history I am actually a part of my
ADA history in the museum

I am a firm believer that if our Soldiers do not learn and
study our history we will continue to make the same mistakes and the overall
knowledge of who we are as a military and a country.

Also included some pictures of the Soldier learning about our histoy at the museum and my baby PSYCHO WARD after the dedication in the museum

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History - Why it's Important for Today's Military

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