Stepping Back to Step Forward and Build the Team

(Photo: George Risko)

As I reflect on recent events, my focus rests on two groups—the heroes and family we have lost and the storytellers. (I have much love and respect for both.) I have had time to reflect upon a question I was asked early in my career—how do we pass the hard lessons on in our culture so others may be spared a similar tragedy.

The Ask 

In November of last year, the United States military, one of our most recognized and valued partners, reached out through the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP) about a potential experiential learning event in the form of the staff ride. Specifically, this staff ride would be for a very forward thinking and passionate Battalion Commander for his team. That team was the 2nd Battalion 75^th Ranger Regiment, and the staff ride requested would be Mann Gulch. An active-duty special operations military unit wants to use a fire staff ride to provide lessons? As many of you know, the wildland fire service utilizes military staff rides to provide lessons.

Leader's Intent

Leader's intent was clear from the beginning. The staff ride would include an airborne component and a jump component. Interaction between Rangers and wildland fires special operators, especially smokejumpers, and the ensuing relationship to be formed was vital. This was the jumpers and their family history to honor and their story to tell. Lastly, all involved would be stewards of the land and good partners.

The Staff Ride

Preliminary Study Phase

The Rangers started their LPD (leadership personal development) training by reading Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean. The Rangers had read the book and performed an analysis of the Mann Gulch incident years earlier and is what prompted this whole learning opportunity. Leaders are readers after all. When asked what the cadre could read, the Rangers recommended The Last Hill: The Epic Story of a Ranger Battalion and the Battle That Defined WWII by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin. The book would provide the cadre valuable insight into Ranger traditions and culture.

In order to pull off a staff ride of this magnitude, a truly special collaboration between the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Leadership Committee, US Forest Service, Florida Forest Service as well as some very special guests needed to occur...and it did!

Field Study Phase

The first phase started with getting our special guests on the ground as they jumped in and/or flew in with their partners from the US Air Force providing the assist.

(Photo: George Risko)

We then traveled to Helena, MT, where Dave Thomas, USFS (retired), resident historian and man instrumental in helping create and preserve the legacy for the Helena National Forest and Mann Gulch tragedy, gave a detailed overview and in-brief to all participants. Dave really helped set the tone for things to come. 

(Photo: George Risko)

During this phase, we had the unique opportunity to meet and interact with Colt Bernard, a young man whose mom is a retired USFS firefighter and grandfather who worked in aviation and has ties to the jump base. Colt started the One Foot In the Black Project, a non-profit dedicated to preserving the memories of the jumpers and the memorials on the gulch. He was also instrumental in bringing national awareness to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice on the Mann Gulch Fire at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, MD. 

(Photo: George Risko)

After the in-briefing, we proceeded to the water. With the help of the team at the Gates of the Mountain, we boated to our home for the next few days where our hosts from the Helena National Forest made us feel welcome. Our gracious and accommodating hosts were instrumental in staff ride preparations, including an exploratory visit prior to the actual event and preliminary training on the leave-no-trace philosophy. Helena National Forest personnel take a great pride in maintaining this incredible place; their dedication is evident. 

(Photo: George Risko)

Field Study Phase

Once at our camping location, we participated in planning meetings and ice breaking events. Few staff rides have participants stay on site. Having the ability to camp together allowed for relationship building and special experiences; we were very grateful for the opportunity.

With the all-important preliminary study and in-briefing complete, we were ready to walk the hallowed ground during the field study phase. The day was solid as the teams worked their way through the wilderness. Each team of Rangers was paired with a smokejumper and another wildland firefighter who acted as subject matter experts/conference group leaders. As an added benefit, some of the cadre had military ties whose experience was spread throughout the teams as well. 

Integration Phase

During the integration phase, participants shared valuable lessons learned. Not only were there discussions on fire, tactics, and sacrifice but also on the important topics of mental health that both organizations find challenging and are looking for ways to help our most important resource—our people. We all seemed to grow. 

(Photo: George Risko)

At Home with the Missoula Smokejumpers 

Once we departed camp and headed back to the marina via the Missouri River, we traveled to Missoula where the smokejumpers provided a special tour of the jump base and an opportunity for sharing more lessons and a question/answer session in an open forum. The environment and culture were conducive to learning. To get to see things firsthand really helped paint the picture and develop an understanding of where we are and what we have leaned and applied since the tragedy of Mann Gulch. 

Base and visitor center personnel—from the jumpers on standby, forest staff, the tour guides helping the very understanding public, and the gift shop staff (they were busy)—were wonderful hosts. We cannot thank them enough for their hospitality.  

A Special Virtual Visit

While at the jumper base, Mr. John Maclean was kind enough to join the Rangers via Zoom. He shared the story of the book Young Men and Fire as only he can as the son of the author. He interacted with the Rangers, took questions, and provided some amazing insightful answers. Mr. Maclean asked the Rangers for some intel on ground conditions as he prepares to be part of the 75^th memorial events coming up next year. His willingness to share his thoughts on “lessons learned save lives” not only helped reinforce the answer to the question how to we share lessons but intertwined it with us honoring our fallen and their legacies. He and his dad's writing are a special gift to us and the basis for a lot of experiential learning because as we know readers are leaders. (On that note, please continue to support your local public libraries!)

(Photo: George Risko)

We conducted a brief after action review (AAR) before we left with only memories and pictures. I can’t help but thinking as you walk that ground, as you take it all in, there is a dichotomy to be recognized. As you walk on truly hallowed ground in Mann Gulch, a place that proved deadly in 1949, you also can’t ignore the beauty all around you. As one Ranger I got to know said, "It is majestic!” Perhaps Lewis and Clark felt the same as they wrestled with the perils of their journey while they looked in awe at what is the Gates of the Mountain.

(Photo: George Risko)

Reflections from the Staff Ride Coordinator

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge an amazing cadre. Many of the students of fire reading this know our culture and these folks; they were outstanding and conducted themselves as you would expect. These servant leaders sacrificed time and deployments and details to provide a "world-class" learning experience.

I have long held the Rangers in the highest regard. It was an honor and privilege to spend time with them. They are the most professional, humble, and kind individuals you ever want to meet. Their physical attributes are only matched by their intellect and their passion, commitment and drive. Their understanding of human factors and navigating the human topography is incredible.

Honoring Through Learning

Somewhere on these journeys, we find relationships and balance. I would be remiss if I didn't challenge our readers to dig a little deeper. Before this trip, I learned of Higgins Ridge and watched a great documentary on PBS. Higgins Ridge is where our heroes and storytellers converged. If it were not for the lessons learned from Mann Gulch being shared and an emphasis being placed on leadership, our wildland community may have been discussing the loss of 20 more jumpers in the early 1960s in a remote rugged area in Idaho. This “near miss” should be studied along with Mann Gulch as a testament to experiential learning and what lesson sharing can do for us.

Don't stop there. 

• Follow the links below to learn more about staff rides:
• About Staff Rides
• Staff Ride Library
• Consider developing a local one of your own. 
• Contact the WFLDP Staff Ride Coordinator
• George Risko
• (352) 797-4169
• George.RiskoJr@FDACS.gov

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George Risko is the Fire Training Officer for the Florida Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters representative on the NWCG Leadership Committee. All expressions are that of the author.