66 Stories of Battle Command: Effects of Terrain, Mentally Preparing for Mission, Carousel of Deception, Obstacles, Simultaneous Attack, OPFOR Tactics, Bad Weather, Tactical Patience, JSTARS, BCT

Professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction, this important report collects enlightening stories from experienced battlefield commanders containing lessons for military leaders. The U.S. Army Research Institute (ARI) Research Unit at Fort Leavenworth and the School for Command Preparation (SCP) of the Command and General Staff College have a long history of mutual support which dates back to the inception of the Tactical Commanders Development Course (TCDC) in 1988. Since then, ARI has periodically conducted interviews and surveys of numerous SCP graduates in a continuing effort to maintain the high quality of TCDC and more recently to support the development of the Battle Commanders Development Course (BCDC).

One finding that has consistently emerged from these studies is the unsolicited praise for the exchange of stories and personal maxims that occurs during TCDC and BCDC. As we have found in our studies of other aspects of tacit knowledge, the military tradition of instruction through experience and historical example has a sound foundation in psychological theory. SCP seminars and exercises regularly prompt battle commanders to relate personal accounts that illustrate battlefield concepts. These practical anecdotes have a clear motivational value and also provide a lasting source of easily recalled tactical knowledge.

The current project was initiated to collect stories from experienced commanders. These stories will supplement the BCDC curriculum by providing a common pool of anecdotes to successive classes. They will also provide a basis for a broader discussion of requirements for future battle command. The candor and commitment of the experienced commanders who shared their stories is greatly appreciated; they have made a significant contribution to the next generation.