Accession Number:

AD1038869

Title:

Changing Perception: The Red Arrow Division in WWI

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report,05 Jul 2016,25 May 2017

Corporate Author:

ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLLEGE FORT LEAVENWORTH KS FORT LEAVENWORTH United States

Personal Author(s):

• Bierens, Justin A.

Report Date:

2017-05-25

Pagination or Media Count:

60.0

Abstract:

Upon entering WWI in April 1917, the US Army required a significant increase in operational size and capability. Historically, fear of a large standing army led to a precarious reliance on reserve forces to augment the active component in times of need. The National Defense Act of 1916 completed the transition of all state militias into the National Guard, reinforcing its position as the primary organized reserve within the formal defense architecture. The Guard of 1917 lacked operational capability, yet the 32nd Division quickly assembled, trained, and proved itself as one of the most skilled divisions in the American Expeditionary Force. Examination and analysis of mobilization, pre-war training, and staff development establishes the state of the division prior to arriving in France. Further analysis of the divisions development in actual combat highlights its growth as a learning organization, commanders visualization and application of operational art, and how capable staffs enable both. Critical lessons applicable to National Guard mobilization emerge from analyzing the divisions evolution.

Descriptors:

• NATIONAL GUARD
• combat operations
• national guard
• lessons learned
• doctrine
• training
• warfare
• personnel management
• military history
• FIRST WORLD WAR

Subject Categories:

• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics
• Military Forces and Organizations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE