History Springs to Life

Heritage Outreach Raises Interest in Military’s Roots

By CPT Lara J. Dorman

Our nation’s military heritage spans almost 400 years. During this time, the United States has evolved from a group of colonies with no professional army to a nation with the most powerful and advanced military in the world.

The Heritage Outreach program is an exciting new educational presentation developed by National Guard Bureau to bring America’s military history to life. Started in Montana in 2003, Heritage Outreach has recently expanded into high school classrooms and community organizations nationwide.

The four-part program delves into the cultures, ideas and practices of U.S. military history, and tells the story of America's dedication to promoting independence and freedom. Army National Guard (ARNG) Recruiting and Retention Commands organize the program in their states and provide presenters who weave in the National Guard’s values.

Since its inception in early 2008, Heritage Outreach has received praise from teachers and recruiters alike. Focusing primarily on the history of four wars—War of 1812, Civil War, WWI and WWII—the program is designed to stimulate students’ interest, using illustrated textbooks and hands-on replica items such as helmets, dog tags, shaving kits, playing cards and canteens.

Students learn about the wars’ locations, the cultures and backgrounds leading up to the conflicts, military equipment, weapons and tactics, and get a view of the Soldiers’ lives.

Teachers are provided with a complete curriculum guide. State coordinators are encouraged to tailor the program to include National Guard history relevant to each state. SSG Larry Bowman of the Montana National Guard, for example, talks about the contributions that Montanans have made to support and defend the United States. He begins with the formation of the 1st Montana Volunteers/1st Infantry in Virginia City during 1885, and continues through deployments for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

The program also helps educators meet curriculum standards recommended by the National Council for the Social Studies. The Heritage Outreach program fits into four suggested areas of study: culture, continuity and change, civic practices and social behavior.

According to survey results and other feedback, teachers have been extremely impressed with the knowledge and professionalism brought into their classrooms by ARNG presenters. They have been especially encouraged by the students’ enthusiasm.

The National Guard hopes to provide this free educational service to more schools. Last fall, through the Partners in Education program, Heritage Outreach was introduced at the annual
National Council for the Social Studies conference in Houston, TX, attended by approximately 3,800 social studies teachers from across the country.

[Published in Volume 6, Issue 3 of GX magazine: download PDF]