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The U.S. Army and the Lewis & Clark Campaign Plan
for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration
(2003-2006)
“The Land – The People – The Mission”

Cover, U.S. Army Campaign Plan: Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration

1.  Purpose.

a.  General.  This campaign plan prescribes the role the United States Army will play in the Bicentennial Commemoration of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, also known as the Corps of Volunteers of North Western Discovery (1803-1806).  This plan sets forth the opportunities and responsibilities of the Army Components, Major Commands (MACOMs), and other Army agencies involved in the Commemoration.

b.  Commemoration.  The purpose of the Army Commemoration is to:

(1)  Honor and commemorate the Corps of Discovery (1803-1806).

(2)  Educate the American public that the Corps of Discovery was a military expedition conducted by Army soldiers.

(3)  Recognize the multi-mission role of the US Army during the military expedition.

(4)  Showcase the important assistance the Expedition received from the Native peoples along the route.

(5)  Reinforce the Army values as demonstrated by the officers and soldiers.

(6)  Recognize the key role that NCOs played during the expedition.

(7)  Highlight the dynamics of small unit leadership.

(8)  Use the commemoration as an opportunity for Army recruiting and retention.

(9)  Recognize the civilian participants in the Corps of Discovery and their contributions.

(10)  Recognize the scientific advancements that the Corps of Discovery provided.

(11)  Recognize the Army's role in the continuation of the exploring the West.

(12)  Tie the Expedition's historical role to the modern Army.

c. Theme.  The Army theme for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration is:  “The Land – The People – The Mission.”  In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson asked Congress to provide money for an expedition that would establish friendly relations with the Indians of the Missouri Valley, help expand the American fur trade in the region, and gather data on the region’s geography, inhabitants, flora, and fauna.   Jefferson chose the United States Army to conduct the expedition, because soldiers possessed the organization and logistics, the toughness and training, and the discipline and teamwork to handle the rugged terrain, harsh climate, and potential hostility that the expedition would certainly encounter.  The United States Army also embodied the national government’s authority in a way that civilians would not.

(1)  The Land.

(a)  The Army’s key role in the “Opening of the West” – to include scientific discovery.

(b)  The Army as the “First Visible Symbol” of the new republic in the American West.

(2)  The People.

(a)  The Army’s early reliance on NCOs – as the Expedition demonstrated.

(b)  The pattern of mutually beneficial relations between the Army and American Indians in route – and the ethnographical discovery.

(3)  The Mission.

(a)  The Army as the “Right Tool” for the arduous job: men, discipline, organization, logistics, and values.

(b)  The Army’s non-combat role – a precursor to the civil engineering movement, et al.

2.  Authority and References.

a.  Federal Authority.  The President of the United States has appointed the Department of the Interior as the lead Federal agency responsible for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration.  Because of the many Federal agencies which have resource management, historical, cultural, or institutional links to the Corps of Discovery, a Federal Interagency Group formed to cooperate in the Commemoration.  See Annex A.

b.  The Director of the Army Staff has established the Lewis and Clark Executive Council and appointed the US Army Center of Military History (CMH) as the Executive Agent for the US Army for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration.

3.  Terms and Definitions.  See Annex B.

4.  Applicability.  This plan applies to all US Army components, MACOMs and agencies, and specifically includes all personnel (active duty, reserve component, and civilian) of the Department of Army.

5.  Scope.  This plan sets forth policy and provides guidance for Department of the Army participation in the Commemoration.

6.  Assumptions.

a.  Few Americans are aware that Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, the leaders of the expedition, were commissioned officers in the United States Army, and that the remainder of the party were NCOs or enlisted soldiers, along with several civilian members.

b.  The US Army, commands, soldiers, family members, and mission will benefit from commemoration activities and events.

c.  Interest in the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial will be a major grassroots phenomenon that will attract millions of people during the commemoration years and thereafter.

d.  The Department of Army will gain great public awareness and support by supporting the Commemoration.

7.  Commemorative Period.  Consistent with Congressional support and the Memorandum of Understanding between the various Federal agencies, the cooperating Federal agencies agree to unify and coordinate their planning efforts at all levels for the commemoration of the Bicentennial to ensure consistency, avoid duplication of efforts, and to pool resources, in order to carry out the purposes, goals, and activities of the commemoration.

a.  Commanding General, US Army Center of Military History.

(1)  The Chief of Military History, as Executive Agent, has overall responsibility for the Lewis and Clark Commemoration for the US Army.

(2)  Reports periodically to the Lewis and Clark Executive Council (LCEC) on the progress of the Army Commemoration efforts.

(3)  Serves as Chair of the Lewis and Clark Advisory Group (LCAG).

b.  Lewis and Clark Executive Council (LCEC).

(1)  Chaired by the Director of the Army Staff, acts as the executive policy making council, and provides overall guidance to the LCAG and Commands.

(2)  Council members represent Army components, MACOMS and other agencies active in the commemoration.

(3)  Conducts update briefings to the SA and CSA.

(4)  Coordinates and tasks ARSTAF and Commands to support Army Commemorative Events.

c.  Lewis and Clark Advisory Group (LCAG).

(1)  Primary advisory group to the LCEC.

(2)  Members act as Commemorative representatives to parent Commands and are responsible for current and timely information on all Federal and Army Commemoration efforts.

(3)  Advise Commanders on Commemoration activities.

(4)  Act as liaison to, or leads Command Task Force in parent Command.

(5)  Act as Commemoration representative to coordinate Army support for the local commemorative activities of organizations, schools, and the general public.

(6)  Encourage installation and commands to publish articles in

organization magazines and become involved in commemorative activities.

d.  Lewis and Clark Commemorative Office (LCCO).

(1)  Primary office for all Army Commemorative initiatives.

(2)  Reports to Chairperson, LCAG.

(3)  Serves as the Executive Secretary for the LCAG.

(4)  Serves as chief advisor to the Chief of Military History on Lewis and Clark historical matters and interpretation.

(5)  Represents the US Army at the annual Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council meetings.

(6)  Serves as a voting member representing the US Army to the Federal Interagency Group.

(7)  Publishes historical material that emphasizes the Army’s role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

(8)  Establishes a Lewis and Clark link  (from the US Army Center of Military History Web Site) to inform soldiers, their families, and the public of commemorative activities and the Army’s role in the Expedition.

(9)  Coordinates a public affairs plan with OCPA.

(10)  Serves as the central repository and clearinghouse for information pertaining to commemorative events, activities and programs at all levels.

e.  Chief, US Army Corps of Engineers, (COE).

(1)  The Chief, COE, supports the Commemoration through its Lewis and Clark coordination offices to take advantage of the public and government interest, to improve existing recreational facilities and visitor centers, as well as public education outreach programs.

(2)  The COE serves as a voting member on the Federal Interagency Group.

f.  Commands.

(1)  Command Historians will assist their respective Commands by reviewing Lewis and Clark historical material and becoming conversant on the values and themes adopted by the Army.  Integrate Lewis and Clark themes into mission specific or command historical requirements and products.

(2)  Commands will submit command approved commemorative events to the LCCO for inclusion in the Army Lewis and Clark Commemorative Events Calendar.

(3)  Commands will allocate resources in their budget to fund their planned commemorative events.

(4)  Commands, when applicable, will establish a Commemoration Task Force (CTF) to plan, execute, and coordinate the Command's activities.  The head of the CTF also serves as that Command's representative to the LCAG.

(5)  Commands will publish a Command Commemorative Community Relations Plan that outlines participation in the Commemoration, to include programs, events, activities and products.  Provide a copy of this Plan to the LCCO by 1 December 2002.

(6)  Commands will disseminate appropriate articles, pamphlets or flyers urging support and participation in the Commemoration.

g.  Commander, TRADOC.  Develop an educational curriculum for junior officer, NCO and enlisted leadership courses, based on Lewis and Clark values and themes for small unit leadership and cohesion, and the importance of NCOs.  Focus on the dynamics of decision-making, initiative, responsibility, discipline, and other Army values and principles to develop a comprehensive approach from the history and experiences of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery.  Incorporate this curriculum by FY 04 in all branch and development courses designed for junior officers, NCOs and soldiers.

h.  Commander, FORSCOM.  FORSCOM units and soldiers, within the limits of current resources and applicable laws and regulations, may be used to support commemoration activities.  The following support will be provided under the authority of AR 360-51, AR 220-99, AR 360-5, AR 700-131, the Joint Ethics Regulation, and all other applicable guidance.

i.  Army National Guard.  Establish a state POC for the trail states and other states wishing to participate in the Commemoration.

j.  Office, Army Public Affairs.

(1)  Coordinate public affairs activities within the Department of the Army pertaining to the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration.

(2)  Develop a Commemoration support policy, in coordination with the LCCO.

(3)  Assist the LCCO in responding to media queries concerning the Commemoration.

(4)  Provide community relations guidelines for the conduct of commemorative events.

(5)  Schedule and coordinate appearances by the SA/CSA at national and international events related to Commemoration.

(6)  Encourage senior Army officials to include information on Lewis and Clark in their speeches and publications.

(7)  Ensure that the Pentagon tour guides emphasize Lewis and Clark, and that appropriate exhibits and paintings related to the Corps of Discovery are properly displayed during the commemorative period.

k.  Office of The Judge Advocate, Department of the Army.  Provide timely counsel and support to the LCAG, regarding legal, regulatory and ethical issues pertaining to the Commemoration.

l.  Office of Congressional Legislative Liaison, Department of the Army.  Serve as the lead agency for providing DA input and liaison with regards to congressional actions and initiatives pertaining to the Commemoration.

ANNEXES:

A.  Authoritative References
B.  Terms and Definitions List
C.  Lewis and Clark Commemorative Office
D.  Army Timeline of Commemorative Events
E.  Suggested Commemorative Activities and Projects
F.  Commemorative Logo
G.  List of Educational and Historical Products
H.  OCPA Plan
I.   FORSCOM Plan
J.  TRADOC Plan
K.  USAREC Plan
L.  USARC Plan
M.  USACE Plan
N.  NGB Plan


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