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

CW2 Jonathan Kantor — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 14:17:10 -0400

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!

Response by SFC James Baber made Apr 8 at 2014 4:47 PM

SFC James Baber — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 16:47:15 -0400

It allows you to know where we have come from and give a look into where we may be going based on actions of today and plans for the future, short and to the point.

The history of where we have come from gives our younger Soldiers something that they can use to understand why some things that are a part of our heritage exist and why they should understand it and embrace it as well.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Apr 8 at 2014 5:07 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 17:07:11 -0400

I agree that understanding history and the impacts of relationships are very important. Where history is taught is a challenge for me.

I thought about this and I truly do not believe IET is the right place. I don't know what we'd remove from the POI and, would we want the Drill Sergeant to instruct this class? Nothing against Drill Sergeant however, if you ask them I am sure they'd rather do some reinforcement training elsewhere.

It could be some "required reading" prior to completing each level of the structured self development, not sure but I am against adding it to the IET POI without a recommendation for removing something already within the POI. There are requirements (350-6 requirements) that mandate specific training and methodologies as well and when we keep piling on to the requirements, we really leave no room for the leader to develop themselves or their subordinates - we have to leave some time on the training calendars.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Apr 8 at 2014 5:09 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 17:09:30 -0400

History is cyclical. I just finished a history paper on the 'Effects of Troop Reductions on Readiness' and it opened some eyes to the way our government is decimating our military...and we'll pay for it during the first battle of the next war or by getting struck on our on soil.

Response by SFC Timothy Riser made Apr 8 at 2014 5:54 PM

SFC Timothy Riser — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 17:54:28 -0400

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

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Apr 9 at 2014 7:27 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 07:27:46 -0400

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."

Response by Cpl Christopher Allen-Shinn made Apr 20 at 2014 3:29 PM

Cpl Christopher Allen-Shinn — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 15:29:22 -0400

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!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 16 at 2014 8:20 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 08:20:00 -0400

Oh you mean like the British failed in Afghanistan, the Russians failed in Afghanistan and we're not fairing that much better because we didn't read the cliff notes?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2014 1:46 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 01:46:54 -0500

We have been fighting on this planet for at least 5000 years, and we should take advantage of their experiences. - Gen. Mattis
If you have not an understanding of history you could be caught flat-footed by the enemy.