Special Operations Course Inspires Service

In the History of Special Operations course, Marksmen study military history through the people who lived it, learning from veterans, leaders, and a teacher whose own family has served.

Military history is often told through battles, strategies, and pivotal moments that shaped the world. In this Upper School elective, students explore those events through another perspective: the experiences and decisions of the people behind them.

For Michele Santosuosso, Upper School History Teacher, the course grew from a lifelong fascination with military history and a personal connection to special operations. After teaching military history electives at previous schools, her interest deepened when her brother enlisted in the Navy in 2010 and went on to serve a decade as a Navy SEAL. Santosuosso eventually proposed the course at St. Mark’s, welcoming 10 students in its first year. Since its introduction, the course has grown in popularity, with enrollment reaching 28 Marksmen this year. “To this day I have to pinch myself that it is a course,” she said.

The course examines military operations throughout history while challenging students to look beyond the events themselves. Santosuosso encourages them to question what they read, evaluate historical decisions, and consider the circumstances surrounding military conflicts. Early in the year, students are introduced to just war theory, which deals with the justification of how and why wars are fought, that they then apply to historical case studies. The curriculum also explores less familiar aspects of military operations, including intelligence and psychological operations.

“I believe that over the year, my students start to see connections and understand why certain things happened when they did,” Santosuosso said.

Just as important, though less traditional, is the chance to hear directly from veterans and other guest speakers whose experiences connect with the material. From World War II veterans to those who have served in more recent conflicts, these conversations give Marksmen perspectives that extend beyond the classroom.

“I feel very strongly that firsthand accounts create a learning environment unlike anything else,” Santosuosso said. “I can teach background information and help them make connections, but guest speakers bring it to life.”

Each speaker has followed a different path, but common themes emerge: responsibility to others, humility, and service.

Among the returning speakers is Michael Wisenbaker, Jr. ’93, a former Air Force F-16 fighter pilot who served in Iraq. A guest speaker since the course’s inception, Wisenbaker emphasizes the importance of teamwork and responsibility to others. “Even in the F-16, you’re in a single-seat fighter, but you’re part of a much bigger organization,” he said. He also encourages students to consider opportunities to serve after college, whether through the military or other avenues.

Students have also heard from Ray Miles, father of Alex Miles ’11, who shared his experiences fleeing the war in Bosnia and discussed the importance of national unity, character, and helping others. Reflecting on the mentors who helped shape his life and his own efforts to support young people, Miles shared the words he hopes will define his legacy: “Enjoyed helping young talent.” His perspective offered students a personal understanding of how conflict shapes lives and the lasting impact of service to others.

Retired Air Force Lieutenant General Steven Shepro and father of current Marksman Jack Shepro ’27, has also spoken to students in the course about leadership and character. “The qualities of a great leader start with humility,” he said. “Listening to others, knowing you can learn from any person at any level, and consequently achieve anything as a great team.” Shepro delivered the School’s 2021 Commencement address, where he shared the message he hoped graduates would carry with them: “I wanted Marksmen to grasp that the path to leadership and service is hard work but rewarding like nothing else.” 

Mac Saye ’27, who plans to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy next year, has valued the opportunity to learn directly from veterans. “The experiences that each of them had are unattainable just from reading a book or watching a documentary,” Saye said. For him, the firsthand accounts offer a deeper understanding of the sacrifices, responsibilities, and character of those who serve.

The opportunity to experience history firsthand extends beyond the classroom. Every other summer, Santosuosso leads Upper School Marksmen on a 10-day trip through Europe to explore historic battlefields. During the most recent trip, Dillon Kennedy ’28 visited the grave of his great-great-uncle, Captain Ira T. Miller, who was killed during the Battle of the Bulge. At the Luxembourg American Cemetery, Kennedy rubbed sand from Omaha Beach into the lettering of the headstone as his family watched by video call. “It truly meant a lot to my family, and I love that I got the opportunity and privilege to do that,” Kennedy said. Like the guest speakers in Santosuosso’s classroom, these experiences bring history to life and deepen students’ appreciation for the sacrifices of those who served.