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27th March 2026 15:42:43 Hours
WAR VETERANS LEAD EXERCISE ‘STAFF RIDE’ TO SHARPEN STRATEGIC MINDS AT THE ARMY WAR COLLEGE
A powerful blend of historical analysis and battlefield reality marked Exercise ‘Staff Ride’ at the Army War College on 26 March 2026. The event transformed military education into an immersive strategic dialogue for the Student Officers of Senior Command Course 16 (SCC 16).
Conventional classroom instruction gave way to a dynamic exploration of the capture of Mullaitivu Town during the Northern Humanitarian Operation. Under the strategic direction of the Commander of the Army, the exercise took the form of a Cloth Model Discussion (CMD) that bridged theoretical knowledge with the ground realities of one of the most decisive battles in Northern Humanitarian Operation.
The true impact of the exercise came from the presence of the Commanders who were there. In a rare and invaluable opportunity, Student Officers engaged directly with battle-hardened war veterans who led from the front. Major General N Udawatta (Retd) WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil, the former General Officer Commanding of 59 Infantry Division and Major General HMUB Herath (Retd) RSP VSV USP Lsc AATO, the former Colonel Admin and Quartering of 59 Infantry Division, shared firsthand accounts of terrain exploitation, operational decision-making and the immense pressure of command.
The presence of these operational-level commanders, alongside their former staff, added unparalleled depth to the discussion, ensuring that the lessons of the past are directly transferred to the leaders of the future.
Academic rigour combined with the authentic perspectives of war veterans to reaffirm the Army War College’s commitment to practical, reflective learning. Exercise ‘Staff Ride’ equipped the next generation of Officers with the strategic mindset and operational acumen not just to understand history, but to lead battalions successfully in the complex environments of modern warfare.
