Gettysburg Leadership Staff Ride (Spring 2026)

What makes a good leader?

How can leadership be taught?

What can we learn from great leadership moments in history?

The Gettysburg Leadership Staff Ride is a one-day facilitated, interactive seminar held at Gettysburg National Military Park. The leadership staff ride is based on the concept of battlefield staff rides first employed by the United States Army in 1906, and which remain a valued tool for the professional training of military officers. Staff rides are designed to highlight, on the actual field where the action took place, applicable lessons of leadership, tactics and strategy, communications, use of terrain, and the psychology of persons in battle. More recently, staff rides have spread beyond military audiences into the realm of executive development and leadership studies.

Gettysburg was the largest battle on US soil, involving nearly 200,000 soldiers in three days of fighting, resulting in 51,000 casualties and marking a turning point in the Civil War. On closer examination, the massive battle breaks down into a series of scores if not hundreds of discreet encounters. A surprising number of these turned on the individual decisions, leadership, character, skill and courage of individuals, or want of these qualities. These factors are constants, as relevant today as they were then, and as relevant to all facets of professional life as they are to the battlefield.

The Gettysburg LeadershipStaff Ride will take students to the ground on which several engagements critical to the outcome of the battle took place, seek to place them in context through the eyes of leading Confederate and Union figures, and to derive and discuss the timeless values and behavior represented.

Please note that the GettysburgLeadership Staff ride is not designed to be an in-depth study of the battle itself or of Civil War strategy. No previous background in military history or strategic studies is required.

The Leadership Staff Ride will be led by Georgetown faculty who will serve as presenters at selected points during the staff ride.

MANDATORY TRIP BRIEFING: Friday, April 10th from 5:00-7:30 pm in ICC 662.

STAFF RIDE: Saturday, April 11th, buses depart Georgetown University at 7:30 am. Transportation, lunch, and snacks will be provided. Return to Georgetown at approximately 6:00 pm.

COST: The staff ride is free of charge.

(Please note that our great Security Studies Program runs a staff ride for SSP students that focuses on strategy and tactics. This April 11th Staff Ride focuses on leadership and is open to students in all Government and SFS graduate programs.)

Please be advised that photographs will be taken at the event for use on the Georgetown website and in the press, Georgetown marketing materials, and all other university publications. By entering this event, you consent to the University photographing and using your image and likeness.

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Host or Publisher Georgetown University, Department of Government