At Fishburne Military School, learning goes beyond textbooks. This recent classroom spotlight by Senior Special Operations Instructor Stephen Barone demonstrates how we integrate leadership, ethics, and reasoning into every academic experience—skills valued by top colleges and essential for 21st-century success.
In late September, our class focused on the vital skill of critical thinking—a discipline that extends far beyond the classroom and into nearly every field, from the life-or-death decisions of paramedics to the unpredictable environments faced by Special Forces soldiers.
Critical thinking is not about finding the “right answer” immediately; it is about asking the right questions, evaluating multiple perspectives, and adapting to rapidly changing conditions. Whether treating a patient in crisis or navigating the uncertainty of irregular warfare, the same mental agility is essential.
To strengthen these skills, cadets completed a series of exercises designed to test reasoning, memory, judgment, and communication under pressure:
Practice IQ Test: To build speed and accuracy in problem-solving under time constraints.
Kim’s Game – Special Forces Edition: Cadets watched approximately eight videos on Special Forces assessment & selection, training, and culture. They were then evaluated on their memory of specific situations in the videos. This is a version of the Kim’s Game—a classic exercise that trains observation, attention to detail, and short-term memory. By focusing on real-world, high-stakes scenarios, cadets practiced noticing critical details that others might overlook—a skill vital for situational awareness in both operational and emergency medical environments.
- “Kim’s Game is more than a memory exercise—it trains the mind to notice what others overlook, a skill that can save lives and guide critical decisions in any high-stakes environment.”
Critical Thinking Exercises: Developed the ability to question assumptions, weigh evidence, and communicate reasoning clearly.
- Lost at Sea Exercise: Cadets ranked survival priorities after a hypothetical shipwreck. This classic challenge teaches negotiation, consensus-building, and prioritization under extreme conditions, reinforcing the need to make decisions collaboratively and rationally when stakes are high.
- Impromptu Public Speaking: Cadets were given unexpected topics and asked to present concise, reasoned arguments on the spot. This exercise develops clarity of thought, confidence, and the ability to articulate reasoning—skills vital for leadership and real-time decision-making.
Scenario-Based Ethical Dilemmas: Cadets confronted complex situations—ranging from mass-casualty triage to ethical dilemmas in irregular warfare, such as deciding whether to pursue a high-value target when civilians are present. These challenges required cadets to balance objectives with moral responsibility, anticipate consequences, and defend their decisions.
These activities emphasized that critical thinking is the bridge between knowledge and action. It empowers leaders, first responders, and soldiers alike to make the best possible decisions when the stakes are highest.
As the Senior Special Operations Instructor at Fishburne Military School, I bring 24 years of military service, including approximately 10 years in 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta, where I retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. I also spent 16 years at the U.S. Army War College, writing and teaching Irregular Warfare, Peacekeeping, and Stabilization doctrine and policy. I hold a Ph.D. in Management and now focus on preparing cadets to succeed in uncertain and demanding environments.
This work is also personal. My wife, Lisa, teaches Algebra here at Fishburne, and our son, Ryan, is a proud senior. Together, we see the value of equipping cadets with the ability to think critically, act decisively, and lead with integrity.
For the rest of the academic year, our class will continue to emphasize critical thinking, challenging cadets with exercises and scenarios that build reasoning, ethical judgment, communication, and adaptability in preparation for the complex decisions they will face in life and leadership.
Critical thinking is more than an academic exercise—it is a lifelong skill set that prepares leaders to face complexity with confidence, clarity, and sound judgment.
