Today was one of the most interesting days I’ve had at Antietam. A total of 300 Marine Corps officers came on six buses. So six of us from the Antietam Battlefield Guides organization led a “staff ride” sort of examination of the battle. These young adults – most of them rather recent college grads – are all second lieutenants from the Marine Officers basic course at Quantico, Virginia.
Obviously this sort of “tour” is different from the typical sort of experience provided for families, schools, and other groups who visit. The focus today was to particularly emphasize tactics, strategic movements, and leadership principles.
This was an impressive group of people and bodes well for the future of our military leadership.
One of them told me they are about 75% of the way through their 6-month program, and the challenge now is “to stave off the encroachment of senioritis” … an interesting turn of words that I said I’d include in my blog before the day was over … so I’ve got to hurry to beat midnight and upload this.
To any of you from today who see this: Thanks for all you are doing and best wishes for success in your every endeavor.
Randy Buchman
Enfilading Lines 