Case Method used to study Operation Eastern Exit

Imagine, the year is January 1991; and everything sucks. You and your unit are squeezed side-by-side in a CH-53 Super Stallion Helicopter. It’s more than 100 degrees and the weight from 100 pounds of gear is testing your back. Sweat is running down the side of your face and the undershirt of your uniform is stuck to your skin. You are hovering over the urban-desert city of Mogadishu, capitol of Somalia and an intensely violent civil war is erupting below you.

Your mission is to rescue and evacuate civilian refugees, foreign diplomats and embassy personnel, including U.S. Ambassador James Bishop. The refugees and diplomats are held within two compounds which are surrounded by rioters and armed militants. This is Operation Eastern Exit, and the choices you make, and their consequences and potential casualties lie in your hands.

This is an example of the lectures taught from the Case-Method Project by Dr. Bruce Gudmundsson. 

On May 21, a case method lecture discussing Operation Eastern Exit was held at Horner Auditorium in the Gray Research Center. The lecture began with a scenario-based, “decision-forcing case” which recounted events in Mogadishu through vivid step-by-step imagery and escalating details by lecture. “History may not repeat itself, but it rhymes, and there is something to learn from every story,” said Gudmundsson. 

The lecture forced the audience to analyze, debate and engage conflicts from the perspectives of the operation leaders at the time. The interactive method of story-telling drew in the audience and put them in the boots of the turbulent events that took place prior and during the Mogadishu insurrection.

“By having students in these roles, it creates a bias for action. This teaching design really tests the decisive decision-making ability of our participants,” said Gudmundsson.

After the decision-forcing case, the audience learned of the actual actions that were taken during the operation.

The case method was not all lecture and imagination, four veterans who actively participated in Operation Eastern Exit were present to speak of their efforts. Frank Baker, Dave Hall, Hunter Maxx and Col. Harold Van Opdorp all actively participated in the operation.

Baker was a battalion staff intelligence leader; Hall was a scout sniper; Maxx was also a scout sniper and Van Opdorp was the platoon commander of 2nd platoon Charlie Company.

Each veteran recounted their stories of the events and discussed in detail the hardships and lessons that were taken from the mission. The discussion allowed the audience to gain timeless insight and appreciation from the veteran’s experiences.

Because of the case method project, the veterans were able to tell their story and pass on important lessons which may otherwise have been overshadowed by the large context of history.

The case method project goes beyond decision making, it asks participants the valuable question: Why?

“We want participants to think beyond the action and analyze the repercussions of those decisions. We contrast those decisions with the actions taken from past Marines during the actual events. This is not only a lecture, but an interactive lesson.” said Gudmundsson.

The case method project meets every Thursday at 5 p.m. in room 147 of the Gray Research Center. The complete list of case studies can be found at: http://guides.grc.usmcu.edu/content.php?pid=273794&sid=2257207

“What’s great about the Case Method Project is that it connects generations through story telling. It gives the veterans recognition and allows their stories to be told. This style of teaching passes the torch from Marines of previous generations to the Marines of today,” said Gudmundsson.