AAR 1

From: Cadet Samuel Sinclair

At 1430 on 30 April 1999, half of the members of MAJ Panzeri's military history class presented a general staff briefing in Bates Auditorium. The briefing was for a group of historians and war gamers that were visiting the school to attend the battle of Gettysburg conference, war game, and staff ride. The students used facts from the history of the battle to model a briefing that would assist leaders from the Army of Northern Virginia. The purpose for the event was to give those war gamers that were playing the roles of Confederate leaders, a chance to review the same situation that the original leaders were faced with. Also, the purpose for the briefing was to outline a possible course of action, which the players could use during their game.

Before the staff briefing the students researched the battle of Gettysburg. They read the novel Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. Also they received, from MAJ Panzeri, several source documents that provided details such as the Confederates order of battle and current positions. After reviewing these things, the students assembled in CC Woodward's room and collectively assembled pieces of maps and pictures from the Internet. They used these items to assemble a power point display for the briefing. This computer display was very professional looking and the students received many good comments about the display from their audience. After the event, which lasted 15 to 20 minutes, the historians and wargamers asked questions about the battle and the recommended course of action.

I learned from this event how successful a group could be when they work as a team. Rather than divide the briefing into separate assignments and individual presentations our group prepared the briefing together and at the same time. We compromised well with one another and in the end we had a finished report that was coherent and effective. I recommend that in the future all students who are assigned a staff briefing be given 2 hours to piece their information together as a team.