Vicksburg Staff Rides

Agenda Background Definition Purposes Uses Three Phases References

Background of Staff Rides Armies of many nations have conducted staff rides since at least the mid-nineteenth century for a variety of purposes. Especially popular at officer and NCO professional development schools. The goal is to place students on an actual piece of terrain, confront them with an operational situation, and stimulate them to reach conclusions or derive lessons from the experience.

Definition A staff ride consists of systematic preliminary study of a selected campaign, an extensive visit to the actual sites associated with that campaign and an opportunity to integrate the lessons derived from each. It envisions maximum student involvement before arrival at the site to guarantee thought, analysis, and discussion. A staff ride links a historical event, systematic preliminary study, and actual terrain to produce battle analysis in three dimensions.

Purposes of Staff Rides To expose students to the dynamics of battle, especially those factors which interact to produce victory and defeat. To expose students to the “face of battle,” the timeless human dimensions of warfare. To provide case studies in the application of the principles of war. To provide case studies in the operational art.

Purposes of Staff Rides To provide case studies in combined arms operations or in the operations of a single arm or branch. To provide case studies in the relationship between technology and doctrine. To provide case studies in leadership, at any level desired. To provide case studies in unit cohesion.

Purposes of Staff Rides To provide case studies in how logistical considerations affect operations. To show the effects of terrain upon plans and their implementation. To provide an analytical framework for the systematic study of campaigns and battles. To encourage officers to study their profession through the use of military history. To kindle or reinforce an interest in the heritage of the U.S. Army.

Phases of Staff Rides Preliminary Study Phase Field Study Phase Integration Phase

Preliminary Study Phase The purpose of the preliminary study phase is to prepare the student for the visit to the site of the elected campaign. Can involve formal classroom instruction, individual study, or a combination.

Preliminary Study Phase Basic knowledge requirements Organization, strength, armament, and doctrine of the opposing forces. Biographical and personality data on significant leaders. Relevant weapons characteristics. Relevant terrain and climatic considerations. General outline and chronology of significant events.

Field Study Phase During the field study phase, the soldiers walk the ground and see and feel the terrain while discussing analytical issues raised in the preliminary study phase. Should build on the preliminary study phase Route systematically moves through various “stands”, adheres to the chronology as closely as possible, and is traversed on foot as much as possible. Vignettes, contemporary photographs, sketch maps, situation maps, and diagrams are all good training aids.

Integration Phase The integration phase allows soldiers to reflect on their experiences in the first two phases.

Integration Phase Students analyze the previous phases and integrate what they learned in each into a coherent overall view. Students organize and articulate their impressions of both the select campaign and the lessons derived from its study. Students gain additional insights from sharing these impressions with their peers. The instructor team solicits student comments on the staff ride and suggestions for improvement.

References The Staff Ride, William Robertson http://www.army.mil/cmh/reference/staffr.htm The Staff Ride Handbook for the Vicksburg Campaign, CGSC, http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/resources/csi/gabel5/gabel5.asp