The NJ Police Chief Magazine Volume 24, Number 3 | Page 9

LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS
The Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863, is the largest and most important battle ever fought in North America. It is widely
believed to be the turning point of the American Civil War. Today it is one of the most visited and hallowed places in the
nation. President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is considered one of the most important and well known speeches
in American history.
This battle pitted the Confederacy’s ablest military commander and leader, Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia
against the Union’s newest commander, George Gordon Meade and the Army of the Potomac in a struggle in which the fate
of the country hung in the balance. These two great armies met by chance at a small Pennsylvania crossroads town know as
Gettysburg. Over three days from July 1 to July 3, 1863, more than 150,000 soldiers would take part in some of the most
intense combat of the entire war. Names like Little Round Top, Cemetery Ridge and the Devils Den would be permanently
etched into American military lore. Pickett’s Charge would forever be remembered as a valiant but failed attempt to change
the course of history. By the time the battle was over more than 51,000 soldiers would be dead, wounded or missing and
the Confederacy’s last invasion of the North was at an end.
The Leadership Staff Ride transforms the battlefield at Gettysburg into an outdoor classroom to educate modern law
enforcement leaders. The issues of command and control, logistics, communication, strategic planning, tactics and leading in
times of stress transcend time and place as issues important to leaders of law enforcement organizations. This outdoor
training exercise will give law enforcement leaders an opportunity to refocus on the fundamentals of the profession, cour-
age, fortitude, perseverance and selflessness—as well as gain a greater appreciation of the sacrifices made on the rolling
hills of south central Pennsylvania for the sake of the Nation more than 145 years ago.
COST: $700.00 per person
(Includes Gettysburg accommodations and some meals, as noted)
Enrollment is limited to 40 law enforcement registrants. Registrations
taken on a first-come, first-serve basis.
FACULTY:
Jim Hessler
Jim Hessler is a licensed professional battlefield guide at Gettysburg since 2002. Jim is also the author of a new book
entitled “Sickles at Gettysburg.” Jim has led numerous battlefield tours and spoken at Civil War Roundtables around the
country. His expertise is the leadership of Generals at Gettysburg, particularly the actions of Lee, Longstreet, Meade, Sickles
and Custer.
William “Pat” Schuber
Pat is a Senior Lecturer with Fairleigh Dickinson University, former County Executive of Bergen County NJ, and teacher of,
among other courses, “Leading in Times of Crisis” and other leadership and management topics.
*This program is approved for 3 transfer credits for the Fairleigh Dickinson University MAS and BAIS
programs contingent upon the completing of 3 additional classroom days and preparation of a
related research paper, as well as payment of additional posting fees. Contact FDU for more infor-
mation.
8