China Rising

Understanding the past is the key for responding to the future. Knowledge of history of significant civilizations is an invaluable resource in order to respond to modern-day issues in the military. Specifically, the rise of China in the 21^st century is a result of its desire to return to prosperity, and as future officers, we need to be able to understand its rich history and respond appropriately to any threats it poses.

For example, the Qin Dynasty in Ancient China effectively established itself as the first unified empire in Chinese history, and did so through aggressive military expansion and projection of power. Their extensive “public works projects to increase the economic productivity of the empire” was complemented by “military conquests…[especially] fortification of defensive walls [most notably] the 1,500-mile Great Wall of China.”[1] In addition, the Qin standardized as they centralized their empire to include currency, weights and measurements, the legal code, and most notably, written language. Despite all of these accomplishments, the Qin Dynasty only lasted from 221-206 BCE, when revolts of the peasantry coupled with succession issues toppled the seemingly stable empire. Following the impressive feats of the Qin were several other dynasties including, but not limited to, the Han, Tang, and Song. All of these dynasties experienced varying levels of power, but all ultimately failed to bring China to the forefront of global prominence.

In the modern era, China seeks to revise the status quo and solidify their position as a world superpower. Increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea along with numerous exploits of the cyber domain are several of the issues the United States Navy and the Department of Defense face concerning China. In order to combat these contentious actions by China, junior officers will need to possess knowledge of the why behind their missions and deployments in order motivate and encourage their enlisted sailors or Marines. By providing subordinates with a reason behind assigned duties and missions, morale will be higher as a result and the Navy at-large will ultimately function at a higher level of operational effectiveness.

In the same way, possession of knowledge about our adversaries’ history allows us to better prepare for what events may occur in the future. Understanding that China has been a country with varying amounts of power throughout its history is crucial for modern day warfighting. If we are to predict its future endeavors and potentially diffuse any further hostility, we must have a basic understanding of their culture, customs, and traditions established many centuries ago.

—Griffin Hamilton

Word Count: 429

[1] Class Google Folder, Spodek Ch. 7, China: Fracture and Unification

Alexander’s Leadership Failure

One of the most valuable things that can be applied to being a good officer is the knowledge on how to treat and take care of those beneath you. Alexander the Great was typically considered a good and strong leader, however, during the crossing of the Gedrosian Desert Alexander failed his men and put his own personal glory above his men’s safety and health. Alexander elected to cross the desert for the sole purpose of achievement.[1] He would be considered an even greater leader if he could effectively lead his troops across the desert because at the time it was considered suicide to attempt to cross such a vast and hard environment. Alexander’s men paid the price for his arrogance. The vast majority of his troops suffered from heat and dehydration and succumbed in the middle of the desert. When the food ran out “…they would club together and kill off most of their horses and mules and eat their flesh”.[2] Those that survived the hunger, heat, and thirst also were likely to fall asleep from pure exhaustion. Alexander’s soldiers were so exhausted that they would collapse and fall asleep in the middle of the desert, only to wake up alone and essentially be left for dead in the middle of nowhere.

As part of the process to become officers, we have been taught that our people should always come before ourselves. That means that before we eat, we should ensure our sailors have eaten. If our sailors are up all night working, then we should be as well. And we should also be able to recognize when something is not normal with them and they are suffering from hunger or sleep deprivation. While Alexander was considered a great military leader and had many victories underneath him, he put his own rewards and pride above those who served him. This could be a fatal flaw. After the march through the desert, many of Alexander’s men would have felt resentment towards him and would have been much less likely to serve effectively underneath him. The loyalty of subordinates is extremely important to any leaders but particularly important to leaders in the military. Personal pride should always be put aside, especially when it involves other people’s lives. While we have studied many conflicts and leaders throughout this course, I believe this failure of Alexander and his forces may be one of the most important lessons to be learned as a military leader.

Brett Eckert

Word Count: 436

[1] Alexander The Great, Demand, Google Drive, pg 326.

[2] Anabasis, Abbrian, Google Drive, pg. 326.

Preparation within the Past

As future military officers, it is crucial that we look to our world’s past for a greater understanding of successful strategy and how to conduct ourselves. The United States Navy would not be the naval superpower it is today without implementing ideas and tactics from the ancient world, and it must continue to do so in order to maintain superiority. One of most valuable civilizations we can draw knowledge from is that of ancient China. The war strategy described by ancient Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu in “The Art of War” is of infinite value to our military today and we can similarly draw on ancient China’s philosophies and way of life as a whole for proper military conduct.

Sun Tzu’s military philosophy in “The Art of War” has persisted through the centuries as one of the most important doctrines for officers to review and follow. Tzu largely focuses on the significance of planning and decision-making during times of war, stating that war “is to be pondered carefully … [this is] the difference between survival and extinction” (2). He terms the “Five Fundamentals” of war: the Way, Heaven, Earth, command, and discipline; upon these fundamentals rests victory or defeat. Leaders of various military groups have a responsibility to know the Way, be on the side of Heaven and Earth, and to enforce command and discipline. The US Navy today has a similar set of values to those described by Tzu, as it is of utmost importance that leaders maintain honor, courage, and commitment. It is clear that the US Navy, and other modern militaries around the world, have used Tzu’s doctrine as a model for their own regulations. If hoping to be successful in the Fleet today, officers today must internalize the strategy techniques described by Tzu.

While Tzu’s piece may be the most relevant military takeaway from ancient China, the general philosophies and way of life from this area and time period can also positively impact today’s military. The three major philosophies of ancient China were Confucianism, legalism, and Daoism. Confucianism focuses on “the principles of etiquette, humaneness, righteousness, and loyalty” (1). The “jen and li” aspect of Confucian thought provide an emphasis on order and harmony. Legalism revolves around governance with strict punishments and small rewards. Lastly, Daoists believe that the path of least resistance should be followed and that there is a natural order or path. An officer’s understanding of legalism could lead to a better perspective on why certain rules and regulations must exist within the military. Also, officers are expected to follow the Confucian values of proper conduct and loyalty in addition to the Daoist principles of natural order and respect.

While thousands of years have passed between ancient China and modern day, the ideals and values each officer should employ has not changed. According to Tzu and ancient China, an officer should be responsible, courageous, strategic, loyal, and respectful. The same goes for officers and enlisted in the United States Navy today; we need leaders who are dedicated to their own development and that of those around them. Through recalling the ideas and techniques used in ancient China, specifically Tzu’s “The Art of War” and their major philosophies, we can hope to be a more insightful and prepared military force today.

Lauren McDonnell

Word Count: 552

Sources:

“An Overview of Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism,” Vision Times. Accessed 9 March 2019.
Sun-tzu, “The Art of War.” Trans. John Minford. London: Penguin, 2009.

What Can The US Navy Learn From Athens?

Similarly to the Athenian army during the Golden Age of Athens, the United States today is with little doubt the dominant military superpower of our time. As officers in the world’s most capable Navy, the ability to deescalate and think reasonably through challenges is crucial to the overall success of the fleet. When analyzing the Melian Dialogue, there are several important lessons to learn about utilizing benevolence in the face of a clearly weaker opponent.

According to Thucydides, the Melian Dialogue occurred in 416 BC and involved the empire of Athens and the supposedly neutral island of Melos. For several years, tensions between the Athenians and the Spartans had continued to develop and smaller city-states were caught in the midst. This is exactly what happened to the city of Melos. (1)

When confronted with the difficult decision of whether or not to surrender to Athens, the Melians put forward their leading representatives to argue for their freedom. Leaders from Melos tried to reason that “a pleas for justice and fairness should do some good for a man who has fallen into danger.” (2) This was clearly an example of how the Melians felt that because they were neutral, they shouldn’t be punished considering they had no intentions to help either side. They continued by asking “Won’t this turn the people who are now neutral into your enemies?” (2) Their support was that “Once they’ve seen this, they will expect you to attack them eventually also.” (2) This is an important point, because the Melians were not the only neutral city-state at the time and they argued that Athens would only alienate the others through their actions.

The Melians definitely presented strong arguments, but alas they were not enough to sway the Athenians set on conquering Melos. After the civil debate, one Athenian leader even remarked “You have staked everything on your trust in hope… and you will be ruined in everything.” (2)

There are several important lessons that can be related to our military today. For example, the Athenians were too strong to be defeated by Melos and therefore felt they did not have to compromise or listen to the Melian leaders asking for mercy. This had important implications later on, however, as city-states who were neutral became wary of Athens.

Today, the US is involved in several conflicts in the Middle East. Terrorist groups like ISIS have continued to grow in influence in this region of the world, and their main recruiting tactic is attacking and demonizing the West. (3) For example, ISIS leaders garnered the attention of every major country when they started beheading Western journalists, showing that they were not afraid of the strength of America or anyone else. (3) They also take special care to show the innocent lives that are lost in the crossfire, further advocating to the youth who are still searching for belonging that the United States is the obvious enemy.

As Navy and Marine Corps officers involved in global conflicts, it will be our duty not to be like the ruthless Athenian invaders. Rather, we need to be the guiding hand amidst chaos that minimizes the loss of innocent lives and improves relations so that we do not feed the stereotype of war mongers and breed dissent against Western culture in future generations.

Word Count: 550

Sources:

https://www.nku.edu/~weirk/ir/melian.html
The Melian Dialogue, Adapted from Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War
https://www.businessinsider.com/isis-is-revolutionizing-international-terrorism-2015-5

Ancient vs Modern Conflicts: Not So Different After All

The saying goes that history repeats itself. Despite our best efforts to learn from the past to prevent future conflict, humans continuously find themselves in a constant cycle of peace, conflict, and war. For every current conflict or event, there is likely a precedent. Take Ancient Greece, for example. In Ancient Greece, the Greek city-states had placed their trust in Athens as the superior navy to take the lead when it came to defeating the Persians. They paid tribute in money or supplies, and allowed Athens to do whatever it took to shut down the Persian Empire. Little did they realize that the true danger was laying right under their noses. To combat the Persians, the Delian League was implemented with Athens as its head. Once the Persians were defeated, there would be no reason to keep the Delian League intact. However, despite the efforts of various city-states in Greece, the Athenians refused to allow any member to withdraw from the League once the war ended and demanded continual tribute, attacking any city-state who challenged Athens. It wasn’t unit the Spartans allied with Persia in the final Peloponnesian war that the Athens was brought to her knees.

Centuries later, we a see Germany attempt a similar stunt in its quest to conquer first Europe. Similar to the leaders of Athens, and Pericles in particular, Hitler had a talent for public speaking. He projected an image to the citizens of Germany, and the rest of the world The same way Pericles took complete control of the Athenian assembly and turned what appeared on the surface as a complete democracy into “government of the first” (Thucydides ____), so Hitler was able bring the Nazi’s to power and seize Germany without anyone batting eye. And just like it was up to the Spartans and their ally with Persia to bring down Athens tyranny, so it fell to the United States and the Allied Forces to bring down Germany.]

Looking at how these two empires we see many similarities. First and foremost, both Pericles and Hitler were phenomenal public speakers. In an article on how exactly Hitler came to gain so much power, he is described as being able to “[whip] crowds into frenzies” and “not only the Chancellor of Germany, but a beloved celebrity”. Through there charm both Hitler and Pericles were able to gain favor of the people. When looking at the actions of Athens as a whole, they were able to use the policies in place from the Delian League, such as the demand for tribute, to continue their growth as a city-state and the strongest power in Greece. This power enabled them to establish dominance over other city-states, they did not need permission to act on anything from anyone but themselves. In a slightly similar case, Hitler was able to implement the Enabling, allowing his cabinet to act without consent from parliament, making it much easier for him expand his power over the government. Both nations had a gradual and strategic rise to power, and both nations were taken down by the unified efforts of rivaling nations. On the surface, these two nations seem very different, however, if we strip away all the extra details and look at the core of what these two nations planned to accomplish and how they went about it, we see the repeating cycle of human nature in history.

word count: 564

https://www.livescience.com/54441-how-hitler-rose-to-power.html

Lessons from the Mongols

Eric Wilson

I believe that knowledge and lessons can be learned from all of the civilizations we have covered this semester. Some of the biggest lessons, in my opinion, can be learned from the rise and fall of the Mongols. The Mongol Empire, specifically in the time period around the 1100s, rose to power and established themselves all across Asia. They covered a very large area that extended from the East China Sea to Eastern Europe. A large amount of their success was due to the leadership of Genghis Khan who rallied the nomadic tribes to work together and conquer many different regions.

The Empire relied heavily on the sole leadership of Khan and his successors. However, in a sense, the Empire put all of its eggs in one basket. The eventual fall of the Empire came after the death of Ogedei Khan, Genghis’ third son. The Empire was expanding west when their expedition was halted after the death of their leader. Based on what we learned in class and our discussions, it seems that the Mongols relied solely on the leadership from the Khan’s. There was no sort of disbursal of power to more than just the Khan leader. As a result, the Empire crumbled once its assigned leader passed away. Relating this to the Fleet today, we need to learn to delegate certain powers and responsibilities. If too many powers and responsibilities lie on one person, a team unit will not be able to operate without its leader present. As an officer we must learn to delegate responsibilities and knowledge to those within the group because if the officer is ever taken away from a situation, the unit needs to still be able to operate.

Additionally, the Mongols found much of their success through their strategy and tactics throughout their conquests. When conquering regions, the Mongols would slaughter their opposition by using superior military tactics. This slaughter of the opposition is noted in The Perfect History by Ibn al-Athir from 1225. Regarding the Mongol Empire, he states, “These Tartars… came from the East, and wrought deeds which horrify all who hear of them, and which thou shalt, please God, see set forth in full detail in their proper connection.” This fearful view of the Mongols stems from their ability to annihilate opponents. The technology and tactics utilized allowed them to succeed at a very high level. We can learn lessons from this by seeing the effects tactics and weaponry. In today’s military, we must remain superior in the areas of tactics and weaponry. While we shouldn’t necessarily carry the expansionist approach of the Mongols, we can still remain on top of these areas. If we do, we can experience success through the comfort of knowing we are safe and that we can respond to any threats in an effective manner.

Ultimately, the Mongols were a very successful empire that can teach us many lessons today. Their rise to power shows the effectiveness of tactics and strategy, while their defeat can show how delegation of power is necessary. By modernizing some of the successes of the Mongols and by correcting their faults, I believe we can take these lessons and apply them to be better naval officers today.

Word Count (excluding quotes): 502

Sources: The Perfect History by Ibn al-Athir (c. 1225)

History in the Fleet

Throughout the officer application process, the US Navy emphasizes the importance of being a well-rounded individual. One key to becoming a well-rounded individual is a vast knowledge about the past. Understanding different past societies and customs can help an officer to better prepare for their own fights. One of the most influential past societies imperative for officers to understand is ancient Greece. Although little physically remains of the ancient society, many thoughts and ideas are still carried on. Greek society that has been a continued source of inspiration and admiration for many countries to date. It seems that everywhere one looks, the legacy and impact of the ancient Greeks are embedded in society. Sports, architecture, philosophy, government, and science are only a few examples of how ancient Greek culture is still reflected in the modern world. Through studying the ancient Greek civilization, officers can understand the beginnings of many different aspects of today’s society.

The military prowess of the ancient Greek society, from the Spartan warrior culture to the Athenian navy, is continuously embedded into officer curriculum. Though military technologies changed throughout time, the nature of warfare withstood the time’s test. Today’s warfare still reflects the Greek city-states center on ethos and honor in battle. Here at the USNA, Midshipmen are prescribed by the Commandant to read “The Warrior Ethos,” by Steven Pressfield. In his book, Pressfield examines the warrior codes of many different past civilizations, dating to the Spartans and Athenians. In it he states, “The warrior culture…values cohesion and obedience. The soldier or sailor is not free to do whatever he wants. He serves; he is bound to perform his duty.” (Pressfield Ch. 22). One day, when Midshipmen get placed into the Fleet, their duty will be to protect the USA. As practiced by civilizations like the ancient Greeks, the concept of a soldiers duty to his country/state is so important that it has withstood the test of time. It is important for us to ensure that it will still be present for generations to come.

As officers, knowing how to fight is only one part of the battle. Understanding what is being fought for is equally as important. US naval officers’ job is to protect American democracy all around the world. The ancient Greeks established the very beginnings of democratic thought. Through understanding the Greek’s point of view of democracy, officers can better understand the ideals our country was founded upon. As Pericles once stated of the Athenian constitution in his Funeral Oration, “We have a form of government that does not try to imitate the laws of our neighboring states. We are more an example to others, than they to us.” (Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War, Book I, Chapter 3, Line 37-39). The US military is sanctioned to fight for democratic ideals established many years ago by the ancient Greeks. It is our duty to be the example not only for the soldiers and sailors underneath us, but for the rest of the world.

As an officer, understanding the past will lead to the best success on and off the battlefield. Through examing past civilizations like the ancient Greeks, one can become well-rounded in different areas of thought. The more well-rounded an individual is, the better leader they will become.

By: Melissa Cortese

Word Count: 551

Pressfield, Steven. “Chapter 22: The Civilian World.” The Warrior Ethos. Black Irish Entertainment, 2011. Print.

The Art of an Officer

Sun Tzu’s Art of War is a prime example of great leadership. His words are decisive and they have an ‘all or nothing’ mentality. Sun Tzu says, “heed my plan, employ me, and victory is surely yours…do not heed my plan and even if you did employ me, you would surely be defeated”. Sun Tzu orders his civilization to abide by his strategy in all aspects to ensure victory. Should any part of the art not be followed, no matter how closely you followed the strategy, you will be defeated. The deliberate decisiveness in his actions are what make him a powerful figure. Characteristics such as this are vital to becoming a successful naval officer. Possessing the ability to not waver or lose composure in a high stress combat situation or simply during the daily routine is a sign of strength. Strength in the core morals that comprise the Navy, honor, courage, and commitment. Sun Tzu conveys these core values through his explanation and strategy in the Art of War. Consistency takes discipline which is “The Way”. ‘The Way’ is what “causes men to be of one mind with their rulers” and therefore fulfills the first aspect in the Art of War. The next valuable lesson Sun Tzu discusses are the requirements for victory. Victory in the fleet can vary from promotions to qualifications to winning wars. Regardless of the severity, victory can be achieved using Sun Tzu’s five essentials. “Know when to fight and when not to fight” means to pick your battles wisely. In the fleet, some arguments are not worth fighting for if it means a bigger more important one can come up later. The next key Sun Tzu teaches is to “understand how to deploy large and small numbers”. As an officer there are many tools and resources at hand, it is necessary that one utilizes the proper ones for a given situation. This comes with the notion of knowing your personnel, your sailors and marines, so one can easily choose one to do the job at hand. The third rule is to “have officers and men who share a single will”. Ensure the sailors and marines you lead are supportive of your mission and standards. This will build unit cohesion which is critical in building trust. Trust is the foundation of Sun Tzu’s strategy and is necessary to have as an officer in the fleet. The fourth necessity it to “be ready for the unexpected” which I take as working diligently everyday as if war is upon you. As an officer it can be easy to slip into complacency when no one is actively monitoring your day to day objectives. In the fleet, any threatening scenario can present itself so it is crucial to be prepared at all times. The last essential key is to “have a capable general, unhampered by his sovereign” which is having the competency to also work outside of your means. The military is composed of rules and strict guidelines to ensure safety and good morals but it is sometimes necessary to think outside of the box yet still maintaining those guidelines. Sun Tzu’s essentials for victory are straightforward and can be applied to a variety of situations as an officer in the fleet.

—Ariana McKenzie

Word Count: 544

Source: Sun-tzu, The Art of War. Trans. John Minford. London: Penguin, 2009.

Come Back With Your Shield

The Spartans mentality is often referred to here at USNA. My old company was 22 and their mascot was the Spartans. Over plebe summer we always said, “come back with your shield or on it”. The warrior mentality is one that is important in the future of our fleet. Even the old Commandant made the brigade read Gates of Fire because of the applicable lessons that could help us in the future. Pericles’ Funeral Oration highlights the importance of being a well-balanced warrior. Joining this profession where death could possibly be in the future, the Funeral Oration has great meaning. Pericles gave this speech after suffering great loss at the hands of the Peloponnesian War. It was the idea that these great soldiers were able to not focus on their own needs, but focusing on the needs of the good of the city. There was a great respect for the warriors who had died and they deserved the utmost respect since they gave their lives for Athens. As future officers, we must know how to be able to raise morale when hope seems inevitable and to fight for what we believe. The oration also stresses the importance of belief in one’s city.

…when you are impressed by the spectacle of her glory, reflect that this empire has been acquired by men who knew their duty and had the courage to do it, who in the hour of conflict had the fear of dishonour always present to them, and who, if ever they failed in an enterprise, would not allow their virtues to be lost to their country, but freely gave their lives to her as the fairest offering which they could present at her feast.

It is important to remember that a country is built on the sacrifices of others. The military is a unique profession in the sense of one’s sacrifices so that others may have freedom. The Athens mentality towards their brave soldiers is something that will be useful to me in the fleet.

King Phillip was a military mastermind with his innovations in the military. As stated in Readings in Greek History: “He reorganized the military formations and equipped them suitably with weapons, and held continuous military reviews and competitive exercises.” This kind of thinking is important in the fleet since it allows for safer ways to win wars. Continuous military reviews allow for the ability to reflect on what works and what could be improved on. King Phillip taught us that it is acceptable to change previous systems if there is a more efficient approach.

Alexandra Butler WC: 429

History in the Fleet

The early history between Christians, Muslims, and Jews hold many parallels in terms of the tensions the United States and other countries have today within the Arabian Peninsula. When Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was forced from his hometown of Mecca up to Medina, his Muslim followers came with. Arabs living in Medina hoped the surge of Muslims would help them overcome the Jewish population and thus allow them to gain control of the city. Muhammad, however, taught toleration of people of the book. There is, however, within the Quran, a feeling of superiority to the Jews and Christians. According to Sura 2:112 “The Jews say: “The Christians err in their path.” The Christians say, “The Jews err in their path.” Yet both read the same Scriptures. God will on the Day of Judgment render a decision on their disputes.” Another passage in Sura 2 states that Allah will tolerate disbelievers for a while but will eventually destroy them. After the Battle of the Trench, where Muslim forces thwarted a siege from the Arab Quraysh tribe, the Muslims attacked a Jewish tribe that had betrayed them. The 700 men were beheaded and the women and children were sold into slavery. More battles ensued between Muslims and Jews, as well as Christians, most notably in the crusades. After the crusades, the Muslims had once again established control of the Holy Lands.

In recent years, relationships between Muslims and many westerners, including Christians, have deteriorated. This is largely due to the actions of the Islamic State, but began after World War I when Western powers drew up new boundaries in the Middle East. In 1941, Sayyid Mawdudi founded a political organization intending to create a solely Islamic state. He claimed that the will of Allah had been violated due to a relaxing of Islamic values by the political elite. This idea of a theocratic Islamic state took hold especially in areas with strong Shi’ia presence. This includes modern Iran, as well as the Taliban in Afghanistan. The terrorist actions of groups from these areas have led western nations to go to war in order to protect themselves. These major attacks have again sparked sentiments that pit the religions against each other. Differences in religious beliefs once again strain relationships between the faiths, as they did during the crusades. Muslims often view the Holy Trinity as a form of polytheism, while Christians view Muhammad as fraudulent. Different, arguably narrow interpretations of the Qur’an also seem to promote a war against the infidels. As a naval officer, it will be important to understand the origins and reasoning behind the religion of the people we are fighting. When building relationships with a region, it is important to be understanding of the culture.

-Matt Malone

Word Count: 457

Qur’an, trans. Ahmed Ali (Princeton University Press) ISBN: 0-691-07499-2

“Reacting to the Past-The Second Crusade: The War Council of Acre, 1148.” Islam and the Qur’an, pp. 181-211.

http://religion.oxfordre.com/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.001.0001/acrefore-9780199340378-e-11