Posted on Oct 9, 2018
How is it that most junior Soldiers claim to have never heard of Colin Powell or Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr?
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I occasionally ask Soldiers if they know who Colin Powell or Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. is. I am no longer surprised that most 18-24 year old Soldiers I asked do not know. In fact, many of them have heard about Ronald Reagan but can’t engage in conversation about him. Even sadder, most don’t know there were two Presidents George Bush. They don’t know much about daddy, and not much more about W. Call me crazy, but it seems to me that the public schools are no longer teaching history from the 1980’s forward, not spending much time showing how those eras are related and inform today’s era, or the Army isn’t really teaching any Army history. Perhaps that’s not the Army’s job, to teach Soldiers their branch heritage. But you would think Soldiers who serve in this great Army would be able to engage in a 5 minute conversation about key political and military figures of their branch, from at least Desert Storm forward. I know I’m “old” but still think it’s better for Soldiers to serve in the Army to have a sense of historical perspective, rather than just serve in a vacuum. I would think knowing one’s branch recent history would inspire and motivate. Then again, maybe not. But that’s just me.
Posted in these groups: 
American History
Persian/Arabian Gulf
Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Military Education
American History Persian/Arabian Gulf Operation Desert Shield/Storm Military Education
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 46
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No, the schools don't teach current history and perhaps that's a good thing given the progressive /antimilitary position of many of today's educators. We should be teaching this in NCO Leadership school and Jr officer professional education. Other thoughts?
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen F. SPC Douglas Bolton SMSgt David A Asbury SGT (Join to see) MSgt David Hoffman MSgt David Hoffman Capt Christian D. Orr Brig Gen Jim Jaeger Col Joseph Lenertz Col Robert Wallace Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Maj William W. 'Bill' Price LTC (Join to see) LTC Stephan Porter
MSgt Don Dobbs Maj Marty Hogan CMSgt (Join to see)
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen F. SPC Douglas Bolton SMSgt David A Asbury SGT (Join to see) MSgt David Hoffman MSgt David Hoffman Capt Christian D. Orr Brig Gen Jim Jaeger Col Joseph Lenertz Col Robert Wallace Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Maj William W. 'Bill' Price LTC (Join to see) LTC Stephan Porter
MSgt Don Dobbs Maj Marty Hogan CMSgt (Join to see)
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Nicci Eisenhauer
MSgt Don Dobbs I fear you are too, too accurate about this. I've been thinking the same thing. Not a popular viewpoint, though... so I'm glad to see someone else sees it, too.
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Capt Christian D. Orr
Nicci Eisenhauer This same kid was lacking basic knowledge about the Civil War and WWII that would’ve seemingly been common knowledge to earlier generations of Americans who paid even the remotest bit of attention in our high school history classes.
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
LTC Charlie Brown in school When iwas In grade or Cranmer school as our parents called it we got a good ear full.. as I got to JR high, a little less.. in my civilian class.. I had gone to a catholic school for a couple years to bring my grades(mainly math) up.. they had the JROTC so between that and the brothers we got it hammered into us religiously. After returning home
I did my own getting into the books.
I found myself in trouble correcting the liberal teachers that twisted words to make generals out to be like ogres for awarding punishment
And the lower ofcrs and NCOs for following and passing punishment..
I told them; You civilians don’t understand how the military operates.. you need to talk to
Some knowledgeable officers and NCOs... go to a library and read up on the UCMJ It’s also there to protect the JR enlisted..not always to punish... “How do you know so much about the UCMJ young man?” I had ROTC in a military school. We even held courts martial
Proceedings.. had Legal officers visit.. those teachers didn’t like my correcting them.. the ol’ “children should be seen and not heard” .sitrep. Later in HS I had JROTC
The only classes I got any real history taught to me.. We had a world history class taught by a civilian teacher. She knew diddly squat about history, what she knew was taught from a ultra liberal perspective .. of course... she was right and the students wrong... I challenged every bad grade with help of my ROTC instructors . We were studying custer and she twisted that so bad... she gave wrong dates.. I said that was not so
During that time he’d been court-martialed and placed on leave, a type of house arrest.. he was returned to duty and sent West..
I told her her stuff together and actually learn history instead of skimming and picking what you want. They need to send you back to school or fire you ! Is’pose I was out of line.. a bit.. but I was more correct than she was.. I think I scared her.. she didn’t come in one day.. they’d hired a sub.. but she was running late.. I got my book.. we were studying The Indian wars..
her version was not correct at all..
I read hers the.n I clarified what really happened.. that’s when the sub came in (the door was in the back side of the class). I read some clarifying points her bok had not divulged.. yes our soldiers had driven them south,, but when they were falling out travises constructed and the elderly and injured were hauled by ponies..
the teacher’s book stated they were cruel to them and to walk until dead .. that teacher let me continue..
then she took over.. another teacher reported the students had taken over .. So a bunch came charging in and looking very embarrassed.. The other teacher pointed me out.. the sub defended me and told what I was doing..
the bigwig didn’t like that I was contradicting the school textbook..
5 days in-school suspension.. now how would that work with ROTC?
Not good !.... I told Commandant
My version along with the sub’s version.. He said i’d Be excused, no points lost.. the school didn’t like that, I’d Rebelled taken over a class.. they went all “snowflake”...
As it’s called now.. it’s a wonder I even got to do the Reserve sitrep in Senior year...
I did my own getting into the books.
I found myself in trouble correcting the liberal teachers that twisted words to make generals out to be like ogres for awarding punishment
And the lower ofcrs and NCOs for following and passing punishment..
I told them; You civilians don’t understand how the military operates.. you need to talk to
Some knowledgeable officers and NCOs... go to a library and read up on the UCMJ It’s also there to protect the JR enlisted..not always to punish... “How do you know so much about the UCMJ young man?” I had ROTC in a military school. We even held courts martial
Proceedings.. had Legal officers visit.. those teachers didn’t like my correcting them.. the ol’ “children should be seen and not heard” .sitrep. Later in HS I had JROTC
The only classes I got any real history taught to me.. We had a world history class taught by a civilian teacher. She knew diddly squat about history, what she knew was taught from a ultra liberal perspective .. of course... she was right and the students wrong... I challenged every bad grade with help of my ROTC instructors . We were studying custer and she twisted that so bad... she gave wrong dates.. I said that was not so
During that time he’d been court-martialed and placed on leave, a type of house arrest.. he was returned to duty and sent West..
I told her her stuff together and actually learn history instead of skimming and picking what you want. They need to send you back to school or fire you ! Is’pose I was out of line.. a bit.. but I was more correct than she was.. I think I scared her.. she didn’t come in one day.. they’d hired a sub.. but she was running late.. I got my book.. we were studying The Indian wars..
her version was not correct at all..
I read hers the.n I clarified what really happened.. that’s when the sub came in (the door was in the back side of the class). I read some clarifying points her bok had not divulged.. yes our soldiers had driven them south,, but when they were falling out travises constructed and the elderly and injured were hauled by ponies..
the teacher’s book stated they were cruel to them and to walk until dead .. that teacher let me continue..
then she took over.. another teacher reported the students had taken over .. So a bunch came charging in and looking very embarrassed.. The other teacher pointed me out.. the sub defended me and told what I was doing..
the bigwig didn’t like that I was contradicting the school textbook..
5 days in-school suspension.. now how would that work with ROTC?
Not good !.... I told Commandant
My version along with the sub’s version.. He said i’d Be excused, no points lost.. the school didn’t like that, I’d Rebelled taken over a class.. they went all “snowflake”...
As it’s called now.. it’s a wonder I even got to do the Reserve sitrep in Senior year...
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
[~991050:LCpl Donald Faucett; the kids don’t learn what happened.
Sometime embarrassment needs to be broached. Life is not without it’s embarrassments...
Sometime embarrassment needs to be broached. Life is not without it’s embarrassments...
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SFC James William Bolt [ 40 Yards ]
What is the old saying if you do not now history you will repeat it the same mistakes that was made in the past sign 40 yards
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Thank you my friend CH (MAJ) William Beaver for asking an intriguing question.
To be honest, I would expect that in public schools in the 1990s and early 21st century the focus in history was on popular figures. The focus on current events and figures as opposed to actual historic events and historical figures who actually affected the nation and the world has created a generation or two who is historically illiterate.
Desert Storm in 1991 was significant to those involved in that operation and Operation Desert Shield. However that short war and the no-fly zones was probably given short shrift in High School and Middle School/Junior High School. Most likely the students have learned about WWII [positive] and the Vietnam War [negative].
[Update] I expect each public High School student would have received the basics at least to understand WWII [causes, summaries, and results Marshall and MacArthur plans as a minimum] as well as the Vietnam War. Private school and home school students probably have a much better understand9ng of the causes and effects of WWII and the Vietnam war.
Thanks for mentioning me Capt Jeff S..
What do you think? COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon
To be honest, I would expect that in public schools in the 1990s and early 21st century the focus in history was on popular figures. The focus on current events and figures as opposed to actual historic events and historical figures who actually affected the nation and the world has created a generation or two who is historically illiterate.
Desert Storm in 1991 was significant to those involved in that operation and Operation Desert Shield. However that short war and the no-fly zones was probably given short shrift in High School and Middle School/Junior High School. Most likely the students have learned about WWII [positive] and the Vietnam War [negative].
[Update] I expect each public High School student would have received the basics at least to understand WWII [causes, summaries, and results Marshall and MacArthur plans as a minimum] as well as the Vietnam War. Private school and home school students probably have a much better understand9ng of the causes and effects of WWII and the Vietnam war.
Thanks for mentioning me Capt Jeff S..
What do you think? COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon
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SrA John Monette
I need to ask my 14 year old if he has studied that era in school yet. if not, I will definitely educate him on it. he and his 11 year old brother have never been shy about asking about my service. and I have never tried to gloss over in my responses.
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LTC Stephen F.
Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen - I concluded above with "However that short war and the no-fly zones was probably given short shrift in High School and Middle School/Junior High School. Most likely the students have learned about WWII [positive] and the Vietnam War [negative]."
I expected you and others would realize that my response meant that WWII and the Vietnam war were studied in high school unlike Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield which I was involved in the planning for.
Based on you comment I will expend my response, my friend.
I expected you and others would realize that my response meant that WWII and the Vietnam war were studied in high school unlike Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield which I was involved in the planning for.
Based on you comment I will expend my response, my friend.
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
LTC Stephen F. Sickening as it is to us, history just doesn't get the necessary emphasis in school these days.
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Nicci Eisenhauer
SrA John Monette Tell us what they say and tag us all! I'd love to see a copy of today's standard curriculum. Isn't that posted somewhere as public record?
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