Second Women of Accelerent tour CGSC, Fort Leavenworth

On Sept. 24, the CGSC Foundation hosted the second group of women affiliated with the “Women of Accelerent.” Accelerent is a strategic networking platform where decision makers can build relationships with other decision makers for the sole purpose of growing their respective companies.

As the group was touring Fort Leavenworth, they learned that Henry Leavenworth established the fort in 1827. Though Captain Leavenworth was told to build a cantonment on the east side of the river, he realized that it made more sense to be on the west side, high on the bluffs overlooking the river. As the bus followed those bluffs the women viewed the beautiful brick homes, including the home of General MacArthur, which is the oldest continually inhabited home in Kansas. It was also the perfect time of year to discuss some of the haunted homes stories, and the group enjoyed hearing about the “lady in black,” one of the main stories of ghosts at Fort Leavenworth passed down through the years. Next they passed by the old disciplinary barracks (which now houses a café and gift shop as well as the simulations lab) and the monuments of General Grant and the Buffalo Soldiers.

After their tour around post, the group arrived at the Lewis and Clark Center building that houses the classrooms for the Command and General Staff College. While there, they walked the Halls of Fame and had pictures taken in the MacArthur room. They were also invited to visit a classroom by one of the tactics instructors to observe a staff planning exercise. When the women came out of the classroom, their heads were reeling with the discussion centering around CCIR, EEFI, MDMP, AOR, METT-TC, and other assorted and amusing (to them anyway) acronyms. Nevertheless, they were totally impressed by how serious, collegial, and studious the young officers were. Once again, the students told the story much more eloquently than any tour guide.

In the group’s final stop of their tour, they sat in a briefing by retired Colonel Doug Tystad, CEO of the CGSC Foundation, who impressed upon them the importance of education, experience, and training for the continued advancement of officers in the Army.

“I’m so glad that I was able to go on the tour,” said Sasha St. John. “I was blown away! – So interesting and educational.”

This was the second tour comprised of solely women from the Accelerent organization. The first occurred in January 2017. For more information about Accelerent visit www.accelerent.com.

The CGSC Foundation hosts “Walk and Talks” typically on the second Thursday of the month. Contact Joan Cabell, the CGSC Foundation director of development – joan@cgscf.org, to schedule your own group’s “Walk and Talk” tour of CGSC and Fort Leavenworth and learn about the education of leaders for the nation.

Left to right in the photo above:

Pam McKechnie
Laura Burmeister
Sylvia Grant
Amy Crocker
Sasha St. John
Robbie Small