On May 23, 2024, Army Maj. Tracy Mankowski became the Minnesota National Guard’s first female service member to graduate from the U.S. Army’s School of Advanced Military Studies, or SAMS, under their Advanced Military Studies Program, or AMSP, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Mankowski was among only 14 women in her graduating class of 122 students, who represented the best from across the National Guard, Army, Air Force, federal government, and allied international militaries. Graduates received a Master of Arts in Military Operations and became informally known as “Jedi Knights.”

Mankowski, a Lake Benton, Minnesota native, was accepted into the course in December 2022. She said the application process for the program was extensive and required a lengthy packet of paperwork, an entry examination, a recommendation from senior leadership, and an interview to assess verbal communication skills.

“The SAMS application and selection process is intense, and students accepted into the course are professionals at the top of their game,” she said. “To qualify to apply into the course, students must complete the Advanced Operations Course before the start of the AMSP school year.”

Aside from an intense application process, Mankowski said the course was also a challenging time in her career. It took 11 months to complete in person at the schoolhouse at Fort Leavenworth. To overcome the challenge, she and her classmates worked together to ensure everyone made it through.

“The course itself is very challenging,” she said. “My student seminar became very close as we pushed each other to continue improving our performance throughout the year. We studied together to make sure everyone was ready to meet the final testing requirements. The course is part of Fort Leavenworth’s Command and General Staff College. It may sound like a long training commitment, but it is a stellar learning opportunity to learn alongside some of our military’s top officers.”

The curriculum included courses in theoretical foundations, multi-domain operations, design methodology, great power perspectives, the future operational environment, reflections on operational warfare, and research, writing, and communication. Mankowski said the purpose of the course is to develop students’ critical and creative thinking skills as leaders who can become problem solvers grounded in operational theory, doctrine, and history.

“We spent a lot of time studying military history and looking at current and past doctrine to develop an understanding of how and why it has transitioned throughout the years,” she said. “The theory aspect involved developing an understanding of how people, or societies, think the way they do. It also makes you aware of how you may process information and make decisions.”

“The entire course was amazing, and it would be impossible not to improve your leadership skills throughout the year, but the most impactful part is the relationships you develop along the way. After SAMS, graduates serve at the division and corps level across the Army. Having an extensive network of peers and mentors, you can always reach out to, which is a great feeling.”

Mankowski is thankful for the honor of being the first female from the Minnesota National Guard to graduate from the course, including the support of her husband, Steve, and her stepdaughters, Hope and Destiny.

“I am very thankful to have had the opportunity and support to attend SAMS,” she said. “I look forward to applying my training to future positions. I was extremely excited to see Maj. Ashley Morgan has been accepted into this year’s SAMS class; I wish her good luck, but she will be amazing regardless. I also believe our organization has a lot of talented and dedicated individuals. I would encourage anyone willing to accept new challenges to put in the work and be more; the opportunities are out there. Step out of your comfort zone to see what you can accomplish.”

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Sirrina Martinez
Minnesota National Guard