Non-traditional Staff Rides

Military staff rides have traditionally focused on the subjects of command, doctrine, tactics, battles and the combat arms. However, the staff ride tool may also be applied to other military topics such as stability operations, peacekeeping, aid to civil authorities, organizations, administration, capability development and procurement, and even law and discipline. Non-military topics such as politics, budgets and even natural disasters that have impacted military organizations and operations can also be studied physically and/or virtually using the staff ride tool.

The following are some examples of non-traditional topics:

• The securing of Canada’s borders during the Fenian Raids (1866–70).
• The Kinmel Park Military Mutiny and Riots (1919).
• Military responses to the 1918 influenza pandemic.
• The Army and the Sydney, Nova Scotia, coal miners’ strikes (1923).
• The Army’s BOBCAT APC Project (1950s) or the Leopard Tank procurement (1970s).
• The integration and unification of the Army with the other Canadian forces (1964–68).
• Domestic operations, natural disasters, and the Red River Floods (1950,1997).
• The Somalia Affair and strategic reform (1993–97).
• The impact of the “dot-com” force structure on the Army (2003–05).
• The Army and the Managed Readiness System (2000s).

Any of these topics could invite further investigation, examination and reflection.