Page 14 - Cormorant Issue 18

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Higher Command and Staff Course 15 by Gp Capt Steve Reeves
‘Nine-tenths of tactics are certain and taught in books: but the irrational tenth is like the King sher ashing across the pool, and that is the test of generals’ -- T E Lawrence
Christmas arrived early for the 33 students on this year’s Higher Command and Staff
militar y-strategic
and operational
levels. While the
cadre was predominantly drawn from the UK Armed Forces, this year’s students also included representation from the Civil Service together with military of cers from France, Germany and the USA. Such a diverse cadre, with an immense pool of combined experience, ensured healthy debate at every turn!
The course began with an in-depth analysis of strategy then covered how Defence contributes to National Strategy. The complex nature of higher command opportunities and challenges, particularly with a view to future strategic trends, quickly became evident. A visit to Whitehall, which included coffee with the Prime Minister and a presentation from the Secretary of State for Defence, gave plenty of opportunity to explore the reality of civilian-military relationships at the very highest levels.
The course then moved on to examine operational art and campaigning. Part of this phase included the opportunity to work in small teams on a range of campaign case studies, drawing contemporary lessons from history. For many, a visit to the Waterloo battle eld in the 200th anniversary year, with events and lessons brought so vividly to life by the staff, provided one of the highlights of the course.
While a signi cant portion of HCSC was dedicated to presentations and syndicate discussions there was also a comprehensive visit programme to a range of UK and NATO headquarters. In addition, a graduated series of exercises, mentored by the wisdom and experience of some very senior retired of cers and civil servants, gave everyone a taste of the potential challenges ahead in future appointments.
“Christmas arrived early for the 33 students
Course (HCSC) with the delivery
of many weighty tomes as part of the pre-course reading. The list of authors, including names such as Cohen, Freedman and Strachan, read like a who’s who of
the big hitters in strategy and international relations. That such distinguished academics, together with senior government ministers and military of cers, later engaged personally with the course is perhaps
one measure of just what a privileged opportunity HCSC represents.
HCSC aims to prepare individuals for the highest command and staff appointments by developing each student’s ability to analyse complex contemporary issues in order to make sound, timely decisions at the
HCSC 15 visit Mont Ormel, Normandy on their Staff Ride
on this year’s Hig”
her Command and Staff
Course