Students complete course despite weather obstacles Published Sept. 15, 2011 By David Moore Army Support Activity-Dix Public Affairs PHILADELPHIA -- When 80 Army officers graduated from their Intermediate Level Education course of Command and General Staff College Sept. 1 it will be remembered as the class that basically took pen or even pencil to paper due to the challenges of Mother Nature. The ILE course is conducted throughout the summer in two-week increments at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The class experienced the effects of an earthquake and the after effects when the school house lost power after the Hurricane Irene passed through the northeast. Without computers, the Soldiers resorted to old school Army tactics and completed the course as scheduled. The Independence Hall Visitor's Center's Liberty View Ballroom, nearby the Independence Hall was the site for a second round of graduates for this training year. "You weathered the storm, but you were not in the dark," Col. Douglas F. Anderson, commander of the 97th Training Brigade, Fort Sheridan, Ill., guest speaker for the event, said. "Check box, that's a joke." The ILE course is designed to prepare senior captains and majors for leadership positions in Army; joint; multinational; and interagency organizations executing full-spectrum operations. The U.S. Army Support Activity-Dix's Schools Division of the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security is host to the program that was operated by the 11th Battalion, 108th Regiment, 97th Training Brigade of the 80th Training Command. Anderson said it was an appropriate graduation location since the first commander in chief -- a Soldier -- George Washington came to the location to preside over the debate of the U.S. Constitution. "It was here that President Washington put forth the young country's first set of national values," he said. Anderson reflected on his graduation several years ago from the then known as Combined Arms Staff School. Later in 2005, he would be advising a new Iraqi Army being developed in Fallujah as a military transition Team Leader. He recommended to the graduates to seek out joint assignments or continue with their education in their officer specialties. "Some of you attended ILE to simply check a box. Others went to ILE to better yourself as a leader and a person. I don't care why. But just when you thing you checked the box something happens and you are faced with challenges," he said. Anderson added his daughter may soon join the U.S. Army. "As leaders we go in and protect our families and our country. I know graduates from my program that she will be alright," he said. Lt. Col. Kris A. Belanger, commander of the 11th Battalion, 108th Regiment, said the enlisted team during a critical need and thought their hardship went above and beyond to support the program. "They embody our motto "Influencing Leadership Excellence," Belanger said. She explained before the graduation that before Hurricane Irene the staff was busy preparing handouts and getting the resources they would need to teach the course instead of using computer systems. After the diplomas were handed out and the Army Song was rendered by instructors and graduates, the Soldiers, some of whose families were present for the ceremony, toured the historic sites.