- WARRIORS OF THE SEA STAFF RIDE: Oahu, HI. February, 2023.
- USC and UCLA NROTC seniors scheduled to commission as officers in the Spring of 2023 participated in an immersive education experience on Oahu, HI. The trip included service component headquarters briefs from Pacific Fleet and Marine Forces Pacific on the INDOPACOM area or responsibility and was supported by a staff ride or what is known as a battlestudy of historic naval campaigns of Hawaii.
- The aim was to put 4 years of Naval Science Curriculum in context by examining the strategic, operational, tactical, and doctrinal underpinnings of Naval Service through the lens of past, current, and future Naval operations in the Pacific. Preparations began with studying WWII in the Pacific, the attack on Pearl Harbor as part of a broader Naval Campaign, and the strategy and naval operations of King Kamehameha to unify the Hawaiian Islands. It also included a review of Navy and Marine Corps doctrine as the lenses by which students can put historical and current events in context while reflecting on and evaluating the implications for Naval officers to be better warriors of the sea.
- A staff ride or battle study is simply a historic study of an issue, like a business case study, but students walk the ground of those historic places to better appreciate cultural, environmental, military, leadership, and political forces that shaped decisions and their outcomes. My thanks to LtCol Loomis, Future Operations Officer, Headquarters, Marine Forces Pacific; and CAPT “Disco” Bennett (RET) - Executive Director, Outreach and Government Affairs, Headquarters Pacific Fleet. These gentlemen were the first stop on NROTC Los Angeles’ inaugural trip. The briefs on service component activities, challenges, the pacing threat, and naval integration and joint efforts in the Pacific allowed our seniors to put their future role as Navy and Marine Corps Officers in context.
- The students on day two, arrived at Pearl Harbor shortly after sunrise, where David Hodge, Community Relations Manager, Joint Base Pearl Harbor provided a historical overview of actions on December 7th, 1941. The students were then transported to the USS ARIZONA Memorial and were present for eight o’clock colors, and a reading by students of select Medal of Honor citations earned on that “day of infamy.” The day ended with a guided tour of the USS MISSOURI by Neal Yamamoto, a Japanese American and Hawaii native son. Neal gave us the history of the “Big MO” and put his Japanese family’s story in context and put the human dimension of war front and center. Neal’s American and Japanese family members both fought in the war, and resolved to be a family after the war. His Japanese family’s hometown, Hiroshima, was destroyed by the atomic bomb and his American family were denied the ability to serve their country initially, were placed in internment camps, and petitioned to serve their country. His and other Japanese family members would go on to serve in the famed 442d Regiment through the campaigns of Europe.
- Day three started with a sunrise hike of Diamond Head where students discussed King Kamehameha’s strategy and plan to unify the Hawaiian Islands, and his amphibious operation to seize Oahu. Professor Brenden Bliss of University of Hawaii Pacific graciously took our students on a staff ride from the landing beaches, to the Punchbowl (National Cemetery), and up the Nu’uanu valley to the Pali overlook, the scene of the climactic end of the battle of Nu’uanu. Students made connections from Navy and Marine Corps leadership doctrine, strategy and operations, the nature of war, and the implications for Naval Professionals at Arms.
- Besides those already named we are grateful to a great many persons for this incredible opportunity. This trip was made possible for our UCLA students by the American Legion Post 283 and the UCLA College of Social Sciences. Our USC students were supported by the USC NROTC Alumni League, the Price School of Public Policy, and especially by the generosity of now deceased LIEUTENANT Benner Retired. LT Benner established an endowment at USC to support such educational efforts and we are honored to have made his wish a reality. Also critical to our success was the gracious support of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Marine Air Group 24, University of Hawaii NROTC, and Commander Steve Jensen Retired more affectionately known as “Chaps.” I thank everyone for a fantastic experience, one I hope each of our students creates for their Marines and Sailors in the future. Of course I am most indebted to the fantastic work of my staff and students who made it all happen and who patiently listened me to beat the drum of doctrine and leadership in the context of naval combat, warfare, and war.
- Forever grateful, Semper Fortis, Semper Fidelis!
- #NROTC #UCLA #USC #NROTCALUMNILEAGUE #USCPRICESCHOOL #americanlegion #MCBH #PACFLEET #MARFORPAC
Executive Client Advisor, Public Sector at Tanium
1yLooking good Gil!!!
Senior Research Fellow at Atkinson Aeronautics and Technology
1yGood action, Gil! Such meaningful connections with history make a lasting difference in preparing young minds for the future. Thanks for sharing. Semper Fi!
Retired at University of Southern California
1yThank you for creating such a wonderful experience. You made Bob Benner’s dream a reality! Fight On✌🏻🙏
Solutions Development, National Security Supply Chain Operations, Anglicotech | Marine Veteran | USC Marshall MS Global Supply Chain Management | Problem Solver | Integrator | Operations Management | Strategic Planner
1yThat's awesome Gil Juarez...what a great opportunity for those future Naval Officers and showing them "what right looks like" for a staff ride...in a great location. Fight On and Semper Fi!