The Corps of Discovery: Staff Ride Handbook for the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Since the early 20th century, officers of the US Army have honed
their professional knowledge and skills by conducting staff rides to
historical battlefields. In most cases, these educational exercises have
focused on the tactical and operational levels of war, through a detailed
examination of a major battle or campaign. The Lewis and
Clark staff ride presented in this booklet, by contrast, focuses on a
US Army mission to explore the unknown during a time of peace.
By studying the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806, traveling
the route, and visiting the places where key decisions were made, the
military professional can gain a greater appreciation of what it means
to be a leader in today’s Army and gain an enhanced understanding of
the time-honored leadership principle of Be, Know, Do. The captains
had commendable character, the “Be” of Be, Know, Do. They had the
courage to do what was right regardless of the circumstances or the consequences.
In short, they lived the Army values of honor, loyalty, and
selfless service. The captains also repeatedly demonstrated well-honed
interpersonal, conceptual, technical, and tactical skills, the “Know” of
Be, Know, Do. They mastered their tasks and constantly strove to add to
their knowledge and skills. Most important, the captains’ actions demonstrated
the Army values of duty, respect, integrity, and personal courage,
the “Do” of Be, Know, Do. Their mastery of agile and adaptive leadership
was the single most important factor in the success of their mission.
In many ways, Captains Lewis and Clark faced a more daunting leadership
challenge in their journey into the unknown than that faced by the crews
of the Apollo missions to the moon. In their epic journey to the Pacific and
back, they had no communication with “Houston Control” and had to rely
completely on their own skills, judgment, and resources. Fortunately, they
were equal to the challenge, and they had their commander’s clear intent
from the president. They serve today as outstanding examples of what an
Army leader must Be, Know, Do. They understood what a leader must be,
a person of character; they demonstrated what a leader must know, mastery
of the profession; and they exercised what a leader must do, take charge and
motivate others to accomplish the mission, however daunting the obstacle.