In order to be successful, one must never stop learning. A common phrase I have been told at the Naval Academy is, “The day you stop learning is the day you start dying.” A history course with many aspects focused on the military side of past civilizations helps future military leaders learn from mistakes. While learning from past civilizations’ mistakes, these courses help young leaders incorporate new ideas into their own way of thinking.
Currently, every country and even person has a different approach to war and tactics, and that has held the same throughout history. Every individual holds an opinion on what works best for war in terms of succeeding. Chinese history and civilization has always really intrigued me, and a military leader I really respect is Sun-Tzu. In high school, I had the opportunity to read Sun-Tzu’s The Art of War and really dissect what he was saying. In his literature, Sun-Tzu states that the ultimate goal of war is to “subdue the enemy without fighting” (The Art of War, 2.20). Sun-Tzu stood apart from his competitors because he incorporated Taoist principles that emphasized more philosophical thinking. Successful people should focus on their natural being and development as a person. Taoist followers support harmony and virtue.
As a midshipman, I believe I support the same ideals. I support the harmony of people and the fluidity of a brigade working together to achieve a goal, one that naturally aligns with the way of the world. People are most effective when they are able to work in an environment most conducive to them personally. Why would leadership force its people to work uphill when the same outcome can be achieved by going downhill?
Not only will learning from China help me create a unique leadership style and goals for my subordinates, it will also help me understand China as an adversary. China’s military and political history will help me find ways to create relationships with Chinese nationals in order to support the mission of the United States Navy. This will especially hold true if I achieve my dreams of becoming a Foreign Area Officer, working directly in China on behalf of the Navy. In order to be a FAO, I must get a Master’s degree in International Relations, so learning about China and its important history beforehand will give me a leg up in the future. Overall, it is important to know the history of a country you are trying to subdue.
Military leaders should handle war as a means for peace instead of creating conflict. Learning about the Taoist principles in Sun-Tzu’s writings have given me a different perspective on war, strategy, and tactics. This information will not only aid my job as a Junior Officer directly out of the Naval Academy, but it will also help in long term career goals. Learning about different civilizations in this class has helped me explore different ways I want to lead in the Fleet.
Corinne DeSpain
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The West in the Pre-Modern World 