It is important for military professionals to take time out of their busy schedules to study military history? Yes, it is very important for "all" military professionals to study military history at every opportunity available. "The problem with being too busy to read is that you learn by experience (or by your men's experience), i.e., the hard way, by reading, you learn by other's experiences." (LTG James Mattis, VGT-50, H101 USASMA, putting personal experience into perspective). The following will shed some light into why I feel it is important to study history. It is very important to learn, not only from our mistakes, but from the mistakes of other countries. When applying this knowledge, we not only have a better understanding of our enemies but a better understanding of ourselves when certain situations arise. When we become better educated, we have a better chance of resolving a crisis before a conflict arises or defeating an enemy when necessary.

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