On Feb. 15, 26 cadets from the UTM ROTC Department visited the Shiloh National Military Park to conduct a military staff ride.
The staff ride is a senior class project that develops a cadet's skills on research, public speaking and allows them to learn from mistakes from the past.

The senior cadets started in January with detailed classroom study of the actual Civil War campaign culminating with the Battle of Shiloh.

Each senior was also given one of the key officers during the battle to research.

This research ended with a presentation to the younger cadets using a sand table. This briefing included a movie about the battle and ended with questions and answer period for the lower classmen. On the day of the Staff Ride, the seniors led discussions about what happened on each part of the battlefield, and the officers who commanded these armies.
A Park Ranger accompanied the ROTC cadets to provide facts that might not be found in standard textbooks.

He provided valuable input to the discussions and also displayed the equipment carried by Civil War soldiers.
The students gained a better understanding of military tactics during the Civil War and learned valuable lessons from our forefathers that are still applicable today.

The staff ride project was a huge success.

All planning, coordination, and logistics support was done by the senior cadets.

Many of the issues they experienced during their preparation are similar to tasks they will be required to do as lieutenants in the Army.

If this type of training interests you, contact Captain Steve Jaco (587-7682) or talk to any of the many cadets you see around campus.