The Need to Study Military History in the Advent of Increasing Technology

The Need to Study Military History in the Advent of Increasing Technology Free Online Research Papers â€Å"Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it.† These are the famous words of the philosopher and poet Georges Santayana (1863 – 1952). The study of military history at one time was reserved for the officer cast of many military organizations however with the advent of the Noncommissioned Officer Corps in the American Army, the need to understand past military events are essential. Without comprehensive sturdy of our military past, we as a professional organization will be doomed to fail in any future operations. American Military NCOs provide the backbone of the most powerful military force on the planet. Thus the study of military history only strengthens the support this backbone provides. To be a successful Soldier, you must know history. Patton. There Are No New Strategies Military strategies have been developing ever since the dawn of mankind. Man’s ability to adapt and learn new strategy has built a diverse collective repertoire of strategy, techniques and procedures (TTP’s) over the last 5000 years. Many of the strategy used by the American Army are nothing more then variation of a common theme passed down from one fighting force to another. Often these techniques prove to be â€Å"Darwinian† in nature with the most successful surviving and evolving and the least successful being discarded. With the advent of the various cultural and technological developments, it is safe to say that many military situations one culture encounters has already been encountered by another culture. Although targeted developments occur in specific cultures such as gun powder with the Chinese or the Bolo and Boomerang with the Aborigines of Australia, employment of these systems follow a parallel course in the aspect of application. No one civilization has a monopoly on military strategic development. Man’s nomadic nature ensured that any military strategy moved and was shared. As one civilization encountered other a merging and sharing diffident strategies occurred. Prior to the printed word these TTPs’ were taught and spread by word of mouth and hands on demonstrations. A comprehensive study of military history will prove a strong base in which today’s NCO can not just adjust to, but to add on and pass to the next generation of NCOs. Consider the basic concept o f reward and punishment to motivate Soldiers. Although this concept in it’s self is not a direct military strategy, it’s application effects morale and thus is a combat multiplier to mission accomplishment. During the Napoleonic Wars the Emperor Napoleon used this concept to not just motivate his Soldiers but to recruit additional forces from concurred armies. With the statement â€Å"Give me enough ribbon and I can concur the world† this military leader provided the motivational goal for his troops to aspire for. Napoleons technique for awarding these â€Å"little strips of ribbon was with fanfare and as much pomp as the occasion will allow. This made even the lowest ranking foot Soldiers aspire to heights of greatness. Technology is Just another Tool Technology is the application of science to war. This accounts for new weapons and the entire range of new equipment. When the American Army was initially started the technology was rudimentary compared to today’s standards. The Industrial Revolution caused whole chains of technological advances in the fields of weapons, transportation, communication, construction and medicine. Regardless of the technical level of an Army, it’s the implement of that technology that remains the same. For example: flint locks and smooth bore rifles was the standard issue of the day during the Revolutionary War. Up to the development of today’s modern individual weaponry the concept of basic rifle marksmanship has not changed. The same techniques used to send rounds to engage the enemy is the same today as it was in 1775. Today’s NCOs are the Teacher for the Next Generations of NCOs When a professional, well educated Noncommissioned Officers encounter situations unfamiliar to them, many try to â€Å"feel their way thru† until they come to a solution. I argue that as diverse an organization as the NCO Corps is and with the advent of technology, there is no need for any NCO to be stumped by unusual situations. A simple internet search can provide a wealth of knowledge on a variety of situations based off historical references and precedents. We are then obligated to share this knowledge with our young Soldiers and NCOs thus providing a foundation for their professional development and strong knowledge base when dealing with situations they may encounter. Websites like AKO, NCONET, Center for Army Lessons Learned and may others can an do provide an abundant amount of knowledge and provides a source of networking for not just active duty NCO but retirees as well. Words without Reference are Meaningless All too often NCOs hear phrases that are designed to spark motivation not just in their Soldiers but in them. When these leaders act on these words they spark motivation not just in their Soldiers but in themselves. When these leaders act on these words they are engaging form a present day perspective thus without a study in military history a young leader will be hard press to understand the possible outcome of their action. As a point of reference consider the phase â€Å"Lead from the front not from the rear†. Leaders NCOs have been hearing this phase for years but few have knowledge of the historical record of its implementation and application. A good example comes from the Napoleonic Wars. The long artillery column belonging to Marshal Lannes V Corps had taken the wrong road up to the plateau where the rest of the V Corps was waiting and was now stuck behind the lead gun, hopelessly jammed between two large rocks. The senior NCOs were disgusted, both because the officers had gotten them all lost, and because they had wandered off to find supper for them leaving the growing problem in their laps. In the time-honored tradition of professional soldiers, they decided to light their pipes. There was a sudden stir on the ledge above the defile. Startled NCOs looked up from their pipes to notice two men, one holding a lantern. A stern rebuke from a senior marechal des logis chef was choked off in mid-sentence when it was noticed that the man without the lantern wore a simple bicorne and overcoat. The whispered warning of lEmpereur! ran down the column like wildfire. A sudden, shocked, and profane shudder ran the length of the stalled column. Intense activity suddenly erupted as the NCOs realized who was present. Sleepy drivers were knocked awake. Horses ¹ ears pricked up, unwary drivers being thrown from their saddles as their mounts shook themselves awake; pipes were put out. Cannoneers asleep beside their guns were kicked awake by now-alert sergeants and corporals. From a sleepy mass of horseflesh and humanity the column now became a hub of alert and disciplined activity. Napoleon, tight-lipped in his fury as he was told the situation from a veteran marechal des logis, gave a few quiet, succinct orders, and once again became a young captain of artillery. The lead gun crew, supervised by the senior NCOs and directed by the Emperor himself, skillfully worked the gun loose from its granite prison. Acting on instructions from Napoleons companion, a General Aide-de-Camp, the entire column mounted and lurched forward into motion-alert, motivated gunners pulling alongside straining team horses, leather harness creaking under the strain of guns and caissons, to work together up the crude defile. Counter Argument and Response The study of military history is a pointless effort. Many NCOs have very successful careers and have a very limited knowledge of military history. The study of military history is an officers program and is necessary to obtain rank at the senior levels where battlefield decisions must be made. The subject of military history is not instructed in any detail in Basic Combat Training nor is in any Advance Individual Training program of instruction. In most cases the NCO on the ground will have an officer issuing order for him to carry out. If there is any need for a historical analysis and comparison to be made it is already done by the officer issuing the orders. The NCO just needs to execute. With the development of American culture, today’s NCOs have to deal with situations (both in personnel issues and battlefield engagements) that their predecessors could not have imagined. Many of the situations that do have a historical reference can not be handled in the same manner today as it was in the past based off more humane treatment persons both enemy and friendly. Although many NCOs have had successful careers with just a rudimentary knowledge of military history; what was the quality of mentorship these NCOs provided to the next generations of NCOs? I submit that many of the situations these NCOs encountered through out their careers have already happened to a counter part from some past event. Imagine the amount of time and energy a NCO can save with this type of knowledge base. Today’s NCOs are not mindless automatons who respond only when an office issues orders. Today’s NCOs are thinking analytic professionals who must be flexible when dealing with tactical situations. As NCOs monitor these situations they may have to adjust there techniques to meet the developing situation. With a historical base of tactic technique and procedure and NCO can pull references from his acquired knowledge and implement like TTP’s (with a different spin in most cases) to achieve the battlefield advantage. Conclusion When it comes to the implementation of strategy techniques and procedures there is nothing new under the sun. The same strategy used in Americas past wars are still used to day regardless of the technological advances made in weaponry and communication. As today’s NCOs are required to make rapid decisions on the battlefield, a strong knowledge base with a historical presidents is imperative for them to draw from in order to prevent hesitation, complete the mission and achieve victory. References Elting, John Robert and Vincent J. Esposito. A Military History and Atlas of the Napoleonic Wars. Revised edition. London: Greenhill, 1999. 400 pages. ISBN# 1853673463. Elting, John Robert. Swords Around a Throne: Napoleons Grande Armà ©e. N.Y.: Da Capo, 1997. 784 pages. ISBN# 030607572. Fremont-Barnes, Gregory, and Fisher, Todd. The Napoleonic Wars: The Rise and Fall of an Empire. (Essential Histories Special: 4.) Oxford, UK: Osprey, 2004. ISBN# 1841768316 Elder, Daniel K. 2009 The NCO Historical Society. [Online] at: ncohistory.com Research Papers on The Need to Study Military History in the Advent of Increasing TechnologyOpen Architechture a white paperAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2Analysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaGenetic EngineeringAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeThe Project Managment Office SystemMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesBringing Democracy to AfricaWhere Wild and West Meet

Examples and Uses of Metals and Nonmetals

Examples and Uses of Metals and Nonmetals Most elements are metals, but quite a few are nonmetals. Its important to be able to distinguish between the different types of elements. Here is a list of five metals and five nonmetals, an explanation of how you can tell them apart, and some examples of their uses. Five Nonmetals The nonmetals are located on the upper rights include: nitrogenoxygenheliumsulfurchlorine Five Metals Metals usually are hard, dense conductors, often exhibiting a shiny metallic luster. Metallic elements readily lose electrons to form positive ions. Except for mercury, metals are solids at room temperature and pressure. Examples include: ironuraniumsodiumaluminumcalcium How to Tell Nonmetals and Metals Apart The easiest way to identify whether an element is a metal or nonmetal is to find its position on the periodic table. There is a zigzag line that runs down the right side of the table. Elements on this line are metalloids or semimetals, which have properties intermediate between those of metals and nonmetals. Every element located to the right of this line is a nonmetal. All other elements (most elements) are metals. The only exception is hydrogen, which is considered a nonmetal in its gaseous state at room temperature and pressure. The two rows of elements below the body of the periodic table also are metals. Basically, about 75 percent of elements are metals, so if youre given an unknown element and asked to make a guess, go with a metal. Element names can be a clue, too. Many metals have names ending with -ium (examples: beryllium, titanium). Nonmetals may have names ending with -gen, -ine, or -on (examples: hydrogen, oxygen, chlorine, argon). Uses for Metals and Nonmetals Metals uses are directly linked to their qualities. For example: Shiny metals such as copper, silver, and gold are often used for decorative arts, jewelry, and coins.Strong metals such as iron and metal alloys such as stainless steel are used to build structures, ships, and vehicles such as cars, trains, and trucks.Some metals have specific qualities that dictate their use. For example, copper is a good choice for wiring because it is particularly good for conducting electricity. Tungsten is used for the filaments of light bulbs because it glows white hot without melting. Nonmetals are both plentiful and useful. Some of the most commonly used include: Oxygen, a gas, is absolutely essential to human life. Not only do we breathe it and use it for medical purposes, but we also use it as an important element in combustion.Sulphur is valued for its medical properties and is also an important ingredient in many chemical solutions. Sulfuric acid is an important tool for industry: It is used in batteries and in manufacturing.Chlorine, a nonmetal, is a powerful disinfectant. It is used to purify drinking water and swimming pools.