THE STAFF RIDE

A Guide to Planning and Conducting Unit-level Staff Rides

Combat Studies Institute

Staff Ride Team
 REFERENCE

The majority of the information

contained in this guide comes from
The Staff Ride, the US Army Center
of Military History’s guide to
conducting staff rides. The CSI Staff
Ride Team uses this pamphlet, and
collected TTPs that are also included
in this guide, in its execution of staff
rides in support of the Army at large.
 CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Purpose and Objectives of a Staff Ride
• Foundations of a Staff Ride
• Instructor Team Requirements
• Site Selection
• Some Types of Staff Rides
• Phases of a Staff Ride
– Preliminary Phase
• Secondary and Primary Sources
• Staff Ride Handbooks and Guides
• Training Aids
– Field Study Phase
• Planning
• Execution
• Integration Phase
• Virtual Staff Rides (VSR)
• Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION
• A staff ride is a historical study of a
campaign or battle that envisions a
systematic preliminary study phase, an
extensive field study phase on the actual
historic site , and an integration phase
to capture the lessons derived from
each.
• It is far more expansive than a tour or
tactical exercise without troops (TEWT).
• It is a time and resource intensive
event requiring a level of planning
associated with major training missions.
• Poorly done, it wastes Soldiers’ time
and taxpayer money.
• Well done, it is a powerful instrument
for professional development and
education of the Army’s leaders.
 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
• General Purpose:
– TO FURTHER THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF US ARMY LEADERS
• Specific Objectives:
• Expose students to the dynamics of battle
• Show the human dimension – the “face of battle”
• Provide case studies in the enduring principles of war
• Provide case studies in combined arms operations
• Show the relationship between technology and doctrine
• Provide case studies in mission command and leadership
• Provide case studies in unit cohesion
• Show how sustainment affects operations
• Show effects of terrain upon plans
• Provide analytical framework for battle analysis
• Encourage the study of US military history
• Kindle interest in US Army heritage
 FOUNDATIONS OF A STAFF RIDE

• Maximum knowledge by the Instructor Team

• Maximum knowledge and involvement by the Soldiers
• Complete integration of the Preliminary Study Phase and
the Field Study Phase

Indicating a skirmish line at Rosebud Creek Discussing Lee’s options before Gettysburg Integration phase in the National
Cemetery, Little Big Horn
 INSTRUCTOR TEAM REQUIREMENTS
• Know the relevant sources
• Understand the organizational, doctrinal, and chronological context
• Understand the operational context
• Know the biographical data on the principals
• Know the orders of battle
• Know the significant movements in chronological order
• Know the significant factors in the outcome of the campaign
• Know the terrain
• Understand current US Army doctrine and operational terms
• Know how to interpret the campaign in terms of current doctrine
• Constantly assess student knowledge and interest levels to maintain student
involvement
• Constantly refine the exercise
 SITE SELECTION

• Organization budget
• Proximity to Home Station
• Echelon of command engaged
• Type of terrain
• Type of units engaged
• Integrity of historical setting
• Availability of reference sources
• Availability of logistical support
 SITE SELECTION
Example – US Civil War Internet Search Engine Tool
FORT LEONARD
WOOD
FORT LEAVENWORTH

FORT LEAVENWORTH

FORT RILEY
 SOME TYPES OF STAFF RIDES

• Battle (Tactical level)

• Campaign (Operational-level)
• Siege Battle New Orleans

• Evolution of technology and doctrine

• Peacekeeping/Disaster Relief
Vicksburg Campaign
• Exploration

Siege of Yorktown

Employing the Hunley, Charleston Hurricane Katrina Relief Lewis and Clark
 PHASES OF A STAFF RIDE
• Preliminary Study Phase
– This phase that consists of the selection and study of historical references dedicated to a specific historical
event, and group discussion of key points, in order to prepare the individual and unit for its visit to the
actual terrain of the battle or campaign.
• Field Study Phase
– This phase incorporates and continues the efforts of the preliminary phase of the historical event by placing
the unit on the actual terrain and expanding upon their knowledge and analysis of the significance of the
events across the terrain.
• Integration Phase
– This phase consists of a formal or informal opportunity for individuals and the unit to reflect upon their
collective staff ride experience, combining the preliminary and field study experience, in an effort to
analyze the terrain’s effects and the possible enduring lessons that can be drawn from the event in a
contemporary context.

Preliminary Study in the classroom Field Study Phase at Gettysburg Integration Phase at Westport, KS
 PRELIMINARY STUDY PHASE
• Individuals must understand the purpose of the exercise
• Individuals must become actively involved
• Individuals must acquire the basic knowledge:
– Organizations, strength, armament, doctrine
– Biographical data on leaders
– Weapons characteristics
– Terrain and climatic considerations
– General outline and chronology of events
• Individuals must acquire an intellectual perception of the campaign

Joshua Lawrence Battle of Westport New Orleans Flintlock Musket

Chamberlain task organization Campaign (1814-15)
 SOURCES
• Secondary Sources
– Sources of information that were created later by someone who
did not experience first-hand or participate in the events or
conditions being researched.
• Most useful in establishing an initial mental framework
• Can provide the “big picture” and tie primary source
information together
• Provides a wide spectrum of subject matters to support
research needs (personality, tactics, strategy, technology)

Campaign Battle Biography Branches Doctrine Weapons Magazine

 SOURCES
• Primary Sources
– Sources of information that provide first-hand accounts of the
events, practices, or conditions being researched.
• Rich in detail and nuances of the period
• Provide sense of “how things were”
• Reveal key aspects of a character’s personality, thought
process, and interaction with others

Leader Soldier Letters Official Manuals Operations Newspaper

Memoir Memoir Reports Order
 STAFF RIDE HANDBOOKS/GUIDES

• CSI staff ride handbook collection (request or download)

• Center of Military History (CMH) staff ride guides (request
or download)
• Comparable commercial products available for purchase
in stores or online

CMH Guide
CSI Staff Ride Handbook and Atlas Commercial Staff Ride Guides
 TRAINING AIDS
• Maps
• Photographs
• Paintings, drawings, diagrams
• Movies
• Digital recordings
• Artifacts
• Terrain boards
 FIELD STUDY PHASE
PLANNING
• Visit all significant sites
• Visit sites in chronological order (when possible)
• Avoid backtracking (when possible)
• Have purpose for stops
• Be flexible to permit unplanned stops
• Link sources to specific sites The Bloody Angle at Gettysburg

• Traverse route on foot, if possible

• Ease of access not only consideration
• Obtain easements
• Prepare alternate routes
• Check routes carefully before each ride The Devil’s Den at Gettysburg

Walking the battlefield at Rosebud Creek Moving off the beaten path at Gettysburg
 RECONNAISSANCE
• Like all military operations, a deliberate
and thorough reconnaissance is critical.
• A good reconnaissance saves time and
Parking
mitigates possible friction points (getting
lost, construction, etc).
Boat
• Reconnaissance should take place when Slough

developing the staff ride to confirm the Boat Slough

Stand Site

plan and just before the execution to Chickasaw

Bayou Option 1
Stand Site
make adjustments.
• Weather effects on terrain should
Maps to support conduct of a staff ride
always be considered (GO/NO-GO
terrain for vehicle and foot).

Verifying routes Battlefield park maps Standard driving maps

 FIELD STUDY PHASE
SUSTAINMENT PLANNING
• Critical to success
• Should not distract from educational process
• Must mesh with Field Study Phase
• Essentials: Transportation, Lodging, Meals

Transportation Lodging Meals

 FIELD STUDY PHASE
GROUND TRANSPORTATION PLANNING

• Getting to the site of a staff ride and then transitioning from stands is a
critical task.
• Units predominantly attempt to conduct staff rides as close to home station
as possible.
• Three factors drive the selection vehicles
– Group size
– Location, access to, and terrain around sites visited
– Available funding

National Battlefield Parks and equally accessible locations Back road and off road locations
 FIELD STUDY PHASE
EXECUTION

• Maintain student involvement

• Maintain student orientation
• Use vignettes
• Stimulate student discussion Student interaction

• Use PA system on the bus

• Use training aids
• Keep the Instructor/Student ratio low
Instructor/Student ratio
• Maintain a steady pace
• Be prepared for bad weather

Keeping up a steady pace

 FIELD STUDY PHASE
CONDUCT
Utilizing Training Aids

• Training aids extend their value from the Preliminary to the

Field Study phase.
• They can be visuals (maps, diagrams), student hand outs,
battlefield displays, etc.
• Visuals must be easily transportable by vehicle and foot and
large enough to be seen by the entire group at a stand.
Utilizing a visual (map),
• Student hand outs can be utilized as copies of instructor Gettysburg
visuals or supplemental information.
• Some sites offer such aids as artillery pieces, restored
vehicles, and excellent museum displays.

Utilizing a visual aid (map), Explaining a howitzer at Remains of the USS Cairo,
atlas, and hand outs along the Gettysburg Vicksburg
Tongue River
 FIELD STUDY PHASE
CONDUCT
Utilizing Vignettes at Monuments

• Monuments can be tricky training aids because they are erroneous

locations or not within the staff ride sequence.
• However, properly placed monuments and those not depicting a
approximate position can support a brief stop between walking
stands or a single stand itself based on the vignette.
• Monuments should be tied directly to the vignette, the locations, and
the moment without breaking the staff ride’s sequence.

The story of the death of Brig Gen Benjamin Hardin The story of Father Corby at his statue at Gettysburg
Helm at his monument at Chickamauga
 FIELD STUDY PHASE
CONDUCT
Utilizing Key Terrain for a Dramatic View

• Military operations and staff ride predominantly share the

same key terrain.
• In some cases the key terrain provides a dramatic view
that can be exploited during a staff ride.
• These locations are well suited for an initial stage setting
stand with the “big picture” and transition to the site.

The view of Chattanooga from Lookout Mountain Packers and Miners Rock, Rosebud Creek
 FIELD STUDY PHASE
CONDUCT
Illustrating Period Doctrine

• Doctrine is a theme tightly interwoven throughout a staff ride to understand

a key aspect of conditions face by Soldiers.
• Understanding doctrine begins during the Preliminary Study phase.
• Once on the actual ground individuals can form into small formations,
adhering to the tactical doctrine of the given period.
• Seeing the battlefield as a Soldier “in the ranks” moving and maneuvering
through the terrain is critical in understanding decisions and actions taken by
those in the event.

Illustrating infantry in line before walking Pickett’s Illustrating cavalry on line, Rosebud Creek
Assault, Gettysburg
 FIELD STUDY PHASE
CONDUCT
Distractions

• Distractions consume valuable time on the ground during execution

and degrade the level of audience participation and understanding.
• However, sometimes distractions must be mitigated in a variety of
ways because of the site’s importance to the overall staff ride.

Trains Vehicle traffic

Interested onlookers Park markers en route to a Re-enactors and audience

stand
 INTEGRATION PHASE
• An opportunity to pause and reflect upon the meaning of the exercise
• Can be conducted on the ground at the end of the staff ride or at local indoor venues in
an informal environment
• Permits integration of perceptions from previous phases
• Provides an opportunity to crystallize perceptions and organize them
• Generates additional insights through group discussion—the “so what?”
• Focuses on two instructor questions:
– How does seeing the terrain enhance your previous understanding of the
battle/campaign?
– What enduring insights can be gained from the battle/campaign can still be of use
today?
• Sparks continued discussion and education at home station

Off site location following the

National Cemetery, Gettysburg final stand
 VIRTUAL STAFF RIDES (VSR)

• A virtual staff ride (VSR) follows the same methodology

as a field staff ride, but because travel restrictions
preclude a trip to battlefield sites, the terrain is replicated
in a virtual environment in the classroom.
• See the CSI Staff Ride Team’s VSR overview on our
website at http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/CSI/SRTeam.asp).

Setting the stage during the Wanat VSR Integrating 3D imagery with contemporary
materials during the Wanat VSR
 CONCLUSION

• A well developed and executed staff ride is a powerful tool in the

advancement of leader development and education.
• However, a great deal of individual and collective work must go into the
preparation in order to properly leverage that power.
• Staff rides should be planned and executed like all unit training events.
• The entire process, from beginning to end, offers a great opportunity for
Soldiers to:
– Expand their personal intellectual capacity
– Relate military history to contemporary issues
– Increase unit cohesion by sharing in the collective staff ride experience
• The true benefit of a staff ride is participants taking the positive experience
with them throughout the rest of their career and passing it on to the next
unit or generation of leaders.
The past is prologue!