WALTER E. KRETCHIK. U.S. Army Doctrine: From the American Revolution to the War on Terror.

Abstract

Walter E. Kretchik has written a valuable study for those interested in the history of the development of U.S. Army doctrine. His exhaustive research and thorough documentation are the strongest aspects of this well-written and readable book. Kretchik traces the army's effort to codify its doctrine through a series of “keystone” manuals. This is both a strength and a weakness of his narrative. The author begins with the 1778 publication of Frederick William, baron von Steuben's “blue book” for General George Washington's Continental Army and continues to the present day Army's Field Manual (FM) 3–0, Operations. What began as a drill manual to standardize tactical maneuvers on the battlefield evolved into increasingly complex doctrinal manuals that addressed the army's organizational structure, the standards for individual and unit training, and professional military education. Kretchik provides a well-crafted summary of the various manuals and gives some analysis of the effectiveness of each iteration in relation to army operations of the period.