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A School of Advanced Military Studies fellow killed in 2006 will continue to inspire students for years to come in a rededicated room for training exercises at Flint Hall.
Previously located in Eisenhower Hall, the Col. Tom Felts Exercise Room was moved into Flint Hall along with the remainder of SAMS classes. Other SAMS classes moved from Eisenhower Hall into Muir Hall in July. Flint Hall and the Felts Exercise Room were dedicated Jan. 12.
Col. Thomas Graves, SAMS director, said the room inside the newly renovated building would serve as a reminder of Felts’ legacy.
“It was a terrible tragedy for the Army to lose Tom Felts; however, in that tragedy we can take solace in the fact that Tom remains at SAMS to inspire the students for time immemorial,” Graves said.
Felts graduated as a SAMS student in 1998 and returned as a SAMS fellow in 2005. While serving as a fellow, he volunteered to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a military transition team chief. He was killed by an improvised explosive device near Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2006. Felts is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and four children.
Graves said he worked with Felts at Fort Hood, Texas, and saw his skill in the planning process.
“In his mild, quiet ,understated manner, Tom would give a suggestion during a briefing rehearsal that would be brilliant in its substance and simple in its common sense, all the while never making it seem like he was trying to sharp shoot or embarrass anyone,” Graves said. “He was simply a guy who just wanted to do what he could to help make the best product that could be made.”
Flint Hall was named in 1955 for Col. Harry A. Flint, who served in World Wars I and II. Flint commanded the General Service School (Colored) in 1922-23 at Fort Leavenworth, according to his biography. At 56, he was too old for service during World War II, but he convinced senior leaders to let him serve. Flint commanded the 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in France. He accepted the surrender of the German forces at Cherbourg, France. He died of combat-related wounds on July 24, 1944.
Flint Hall was originally built as a horse stable in 1908. The 10th Cavalry “Buffalo Soldiers” used the building as stables. It was also used as a bowling center and officers’ club. SAMS was previously in the building from 1984-1994.
Chris Ibanez, engineering technician (facility design) for the Command and General Staff College, said both Flint and Muir halls were renovated with the latest technology needed for instruction. Flint has eight classrooms almost identical to those at Muir Hall and the Lewis and Clark Center.
“Basically the whole color pallet is similar to Lewis and Clark, the same aesthetic level as Lewis and Clark, to maintain a campus concept,” Ibanez said.
The Felts Exercise Room can host up to 204 people for planning exercises. Eight Command Post of the Future desks can be cordoned off into three spaces, with three projectors overhead. The room also has several LCD flatscreen televisions on the wall that are connected to the projector system.
“It’s an integrated AV/IT for the whole room,” Ibanez said.
Like the Lewis and Clark Center and Muir Hall, Flint Hall also has showers in some of the bathrooms available for students and staff who ride bikes to work or school.
Graves said SAMS staff were excited about the new building.
“We’re happy to be back in Flint — this world-class facility,” he said. “A lot of people worked long hours to make this move possible, and I personally appreciate the hard work.”
A School of Advanced Military Studies fellow killed in 2006 will continue to inspire students for years to come in a rededicated room for training exercises at Flint Hall.
Previously located in Eisenhower Hall, the Col. Tom Felts Exercise Room was moved into Flint Hall along with the remainder of SAMS classes. Other SAMS classes moved from Eisenhower Hall into Muir Hall in July. Flint Hall and the Felts Exercise Room were dedicated Jan. 12.
Col. Thomas Graves, SAMS director, said the room inside the newly renovated building would serve as a reminder of Felts’ legacy.
“It was a terrible tragedy for the Army to lose Tom Felts; however, in that tragedy we can take solace in the fact that Tom remains at SAMS to inspire the students for time immemorial,” Graves said.
Felts graduated as a SAMS student in 1998 and returned as a SAMS fellow in 2005. While serving as a fellow, he volunteered to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a military transition team chief. He was killed by an improvised explosive device near Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2006. Felts is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and four children.
Graves said he worked with Felts at Fort Hood, Texas, and saw his skill in the planning process.
“In his mild, quiet ,understated manner, Tom would give a suggestion during a briefing rehearsal that would be brilliant in its substance and simple in its common sense, all the while never making it seem like he was trying to sharp shoot or embarrass anyone,” Graves said. “He was simply a guy who just wanted to do what he could to help make the best product that could be made.”
Flint Hall was named in 1955 for Col. Harry A. Flint, who served in World Wars I and II. Flint commanded the General Service School (Colored) in 1922-23 at Fort Leavenworth, according to his biography. At 56, he was too old for service during World War II, but he convinced senior leaders to let him serve. Flint commanded the 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in France. He accepted the surrender of the German forces at Cherbourg, France. He died of combat-related wounds on July 24, 1944.
Flint Hall was originally built as a horse stable in 1908. The 10th Cavalry “Buffalo Soldiers” used the building as stables. It was also used as a bowling center and officers’ club. SAMS was previously in the building from 1984-1994.
Chris Ibanez, engineering technician (facility design) for the Command and General Staff College, said both Flint and Muir halls were renovated with the latest technology needed for instruction. Flint has eight classrooms almost identical to those at Muir Hall and the Lewis and Clark Center.
“Basically the whole color pallet is similar to Lewis and Clark, the same aesthetic level as Lewis and Clark, to maintain a campus concept,” Ibanez said.
The Felts Exercise Room can host up to 204 people for planning exercises. Eight Command Post of the Future desks can be cordoned off into three spaces, with three projectors overhead. The room also has several LCD flatscreen televisions on the wall that are connected to the projector system.
“It’s an integrated AV/IT for the whole room,” Ibanez said.
Like the Lewis and Clark Center and Muir Hall, Flint Hall also has showers in some of the bathrooms available for students and staff who ride bikes to work or school.
Graves said SAMS staff were excited about the new building.
“We’re happy to be back in Flint — this world-class facility,” he said. “A lot of people worked long hours to make this move possible, and I personally appreciate the hard work.”
