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

Throughout our time in the History of the West in the Pre-modern, I have found the most applicable lessons to be found in the civilizations that took part in the Second Crusade. There are three main lessons to be taken from these people and they are that one should be passionate about their beliefs but not to the extent of blindness, that one should not persecute another for their personal beliefs, and that unity is the only way to success. These three lessons are applicable now and will serve an even greater importance as I head out into the fleet and lead young sailors or marines.

To start, the civilizations taking part in the Second Crusade taught me that my own beliefs are something to be passionate about. The Second Crusade brought together the Germans, French, and the people of the Holy Land all fighting for one cause, Christianity. Our beliefs are something that we can find common ground in and as a future officer, I must learn to use that to my advantage while working with a wide variety of people on a daily basis.

However, with that being said, it is extremely important not to persecute another person just because they believe something different than you. Differences have their values, just as similarities, and must be respected and learned from. People of varying beliefs have countless lessons that are unique to themselves and by persecuting them, we immediately lose out on learning from these lessons. By attacking Damascus, the fighters of the Second Crusade broke a truce all because the people there were mainly of Muslim background (A History of Deeds Done Beyond the Sea, William of Tyre). In the end, this led to major losses in the Crusade as a whole. Learning from this battle and the entirety of the Second Crusade, we need to understand that we cannot attack those who do not follow our beliefs. We need to find common ground and live together as humanity.

Lastly, I learned from the fighters of the Second Crusade that the only way to success is working together. If the Germans, French, or the people of the Holy Land tried to win the Second Crusade on their own, it would have ended much quicker and with a total defeat. Even though these people all came from different lives, they realized that banding together was the only way to success and that is very similar to how our military must run as a whole. We must maintain our alliances with foreign militaries and as stated before, find value in our differences.

Word Count: 435

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

Rome and Societal Conflicts

It is no secret that America has recently been experiencing some societal conflicts. Startling enough, some of these aspects in society can be paralleled to Ancient Rome and the eventual downfall of their empire. There are the obvious similarities between Ancient Rome and the United States such as them both being prosperous and strong military powers, but they also shared some societal similarities. One contribution to the eventual fall of Rome came from the decrease in importance on family life and morals. This first started in Rome with men participating in less and less religious worship in their homes. This same decrease is happening in the United States as according to the Pew Research Center, the percent of adults that are religiously affiliated had dropped 6% in the years 2007-2014. Often times, regardless of the specific religion, religious affiliation teaches values such as ethics and dedication. According to Forbes Magazine, studies have shown that the even the non-spiritual benefits of religion are related to religious attendance. “Religious participation by kids has been shown to result in less juvenile delinquency, less drug use including less smoking, better school attendance, and a higher probability of graduating from high school” (Forbes). Having a strong religious affiliation is a characteristic that a family can share and bond over. With a lack of this shared practice, it is easier for the unity of the family to lose its strong ties.

The next step in the downfall of the family was men spending less time with their families and more time concerned about material things and wealth. From the book Conspiracy of Catiline, a Roman politician stated that “Some set their hearts on houses, some on lands…The whole period was one of debauched tastes and lawlessness. When wealth was once counted an honor, and glory, authority, and power attended it, virtue lost her influence, poverty was thought a disgrace, and a life of innocence was regarded as a life of mere ill nature”. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association study, parents of both sexes are spending an average of ten or twelve hours less per week with their children than when they did in 1960. As men in Rome spent more time worrying about trying to gain wealth in Rome, they began to neglect their wives and family. This led to them cheating on their wives and becoming more sexual active with women of the lower class. Consequently, this also led to a higher divorce rate and bad relationships with their children. The United States ranks as the third highest country for divorce rate with around 40% marriages ending in divorce. It is no secret that divorce can significantly affect children in a negative way. Observing the ending of love between parents can be very hard for children of all ages. Having two parents present to teach and mentor a child on the right way to live as they grow up is of grave importance to the future of a society.

Although some of these ideas may be dramatic, it is interesting to see a similar trend within the two great nations. It is not just these two societal conflicts but politics as well that have shown parallels. It may not be time to panic yet…but the U.S. should be weary as history tends to repeat itself.

Word Count: 554

https://probe.org/rome-and-america/

http://www.pewforum.org/2015/11/03/u-s-public-becoming-less-religious/

https://www.pbs.org/livelyhood/workingfamily/familytrends.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffreydorfman/2013/12/22/religion-is-good-for-all-of-us-even-those-who-dont-follow-one/#61aa4d5164d7

Historical Lessons

It is a common lesson that repeating history’s mistakes will lead to the same outcome. It is crucially important to take lessons learned from both Athenian democracy, and also various pieces of literature such as The Art of War and to apply them in a career as a leader. Looking at the model of Athenian democracy, I believe that making sure every sailor has a voice that will be heard is very important to foster an effective command climate. One of the most common things I heard over my 4/C cruise was that officers seemed to be relatively disconnected from the daily lives of sailors, and what they have to say. I believe that holding something similar to an assembly would be extremely beneficial as it would allow for voices to be heard, and to give those who are afraid to speak up the chance to voice their concerns. A strong team is developed when people believe they are important to their cause. Allowing everyone to speak, while not everyone could be satisfied, would create a climate in which they know that their voices have at least been heard. The Athenians created a model in which mostly everyone had a say in their decisions, and I believe that hearing what others have to say is important as an officer.

The Art of War also serves as an insightful and impactful piece of literature. Sun Tzu states, “The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness”. I believe that this is a perfect summation of what the military strives to achieve in their officers. We are taught to uphold each of these characteristics, and that they will lead to success. I believe that these pillars of character are extremely important as they are synonymous with the characteristics that are taught to us over our entire time at the Academy. The Art of War not only talks about what an officer should be like, but also general statements on how to conduct warfare. It is important to learn from these and apply them, in order to stop yourself from making hasty or naïve decisions in the heat of the moment. Although it is important to keep strategy in mind, the most important from Sun Tzu, is that a commander should be a person who is for their enlisted, and do everything in their power in order to guarantee their happiness and success.

WC:404

6: History in the Fleet

History is an integral part of our arsenal as a military. Not only does it teach us the lessons it provides us with guidance for similar situations. In the context of understanding the history of ancient civilizations, naval officers have a lot to learn and can using history to make better decisions whether diplomatic or tactical. In specific we have a lot to learn from the Ancient civilization of Athens, which in its time, was one of the most influential and powerful navies in the world. Since we are in the business of securing democracy and ensuring that the freedom of seas is a lesson we can learn from the ancient city. THough democracy to the rest of the world was not on their mind at the time, it is easy to see how we can take their imperialistic might and transfer that to a strength reserved for more moral ventures like the protection of trading lanes. Themistocles devised a plan to strike at the other naval rivals in the area by building a 200 ship fleet of triremes, the most advanced combat vessel of the day. his use of this fleet to control these commercial routes is also in our playbook of a foreign power. Whether we learned it from Athens is another story, but we can learn that it is extremely important to have power over your commercial interest in the sea. Interestingly enough, one of our more powerful methods of maintaining control of the seas is through interest rates. According to the Center for International Maritime Security, areas that are not secured by the US Navy have extremely high-interest rates internationally. This is no coincidence, we have learned through history that a good way to maintain oversight of the seas commercially, is to ensure a protected zone where everyone is likely to travel. We strategically map these areas most if not all major business travel these lanes, solidifying our control of the commercial sea lanes. Another important lesson is “it is never too late to build a navy”. As we see Themistocles did, we have a varying strength when it comes to the overall size of our navy. We have learned through history that, cost-wise, it is better to fluctuate with world tension. Though I think one of the most important lessons that we are at least beginning to learn is quality of quantity. Triremes were extremely advanced, Themistocles could have built cheaper but more ships, yet he chooses superior vessels. This ideology has also been adopted by our own navy. There are so many things to learn from ancient civilizations. Athens is a great place to start.

Source: http://cimsec.org/lessons-history-themistocles/13095

Word Count: 444

Got Roots?

Marcus Garvey put it best when he said “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/history). Like Garvey states, a knowledge of history gives us strength in the future, and a study of the civilizations throughout this semester have given me strength for my future as an officer in the Fleet. A few of these examples come from Athens and her Democracy, the inspirational teachings of Sun Tzu’s Art of War, and the conflict between the Christians and Muslims during the Crusades.

During the study of the Athenian Democracy and its comparison the modern American government, I recognized the pros and cons of each and how they applied to leading in the Fleet. One of the biggest benefits of the Athenian-run model was that everyone had a voice. Similarly as an officer I can foster a kind of environment where those I lead will feel welcome to voice their opinions. However an advantage that the current American model contains is the filter it provides by excluding non-relevant or radical ideas. This filter is necessary to the efficiency of the whole system and in the Fleet would be the officer.

While many of Sun Tzu’s teachings are applicable to leading in the Fleet, his emphasis on preparation before battle stands above the rest. In his book The Art of War he says “Victory belongs to the side that scores the most in the temple calculations before the battle” (The Art of War 3-8). While not everyone from the Academy will be directly involved in combat, there is a “battle” that each must face in order to achieve victory. For example a navigation team’s “temple calculations before the battle” could be anticipating weather conditions as they plot a ship’s route to ensure the safety of everyone on board. While seemingly insignificant, such decisions could be the difference between life and death.

Perhaps the most impactful takeaway comes from the study and role play of the crusade. A general misunderstanding of religion has led to some of the bloodiest battles in history, all in the name of God. The same issues that were fought over then are prevalent today, as the fight over the Holy Land continues. As a future officer in the Fleet, I need to recognize that people will be coming from different backgrounds and will have general stereotypes for or against their fellow sailors or marines. This allows me to prepare to be a mediator and educator in order to resolve conflicts and keep us working as a cohesive unit.

Overall this class has revealed examples from history to be learned from, and not repeated. Through an application of these lessons, I will grow the roots of my tree, strengthening me to handle the future. This provides me to not only become a better leader in the Fleet, but even after my time in the Fleet has ended.

WC: 489