The Collins Center Update. (CSL Issue Paper, Volume 10, Issue 4, July-September 2008)

The summer of 2008 was another meaningful and eventful season for the Center for Strategic Leaderships CSL Strategic Leader Staff Ride Program. On behalf of the Commandant and the U.S. Army War College USAWC, CSL has hosted seven Strategic Leader Staff RidesSLSRs to provide a unique opportunity for over 100 participants to learn about themselves, their organizations, and their Army. Of the 118 guests this season, over 85 of them hold the position of corporate vice president or higher within their organization. Another five SLSRs are scheduled for the remainder of the 2008 season. These successful SLSRs serve as opportunities for continued relations between the Army, the USAWC and SLSR participants and participant organizations. The SLSR program is an integral part of the USAWC strategic outreach program and continues to focus our efforts to senior leaders from academia, business and federal government agencies. The program is in direct support of the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staffs Strategic Communication efforts. The objectives of the SLSR are to increase awareness and exchange insights on the most important strategic issues facing todays Army. In addition the Army fosters mutually beneficial, long term, professional relationships and exchanges. This program is teamed with the Army War College Foundation for support and uses the enduring relevance of the Battle of Gettysburg as a key to foster and promote shared understanding and discussion regarding the challenges key strategic leaders faced with regard to the Battle of Gettysburg. The nature of those challenges transcends time and is often predominant in civilian and military organization environments today.