Military training
Military training encompasses the preparation of armed forces personnel in various skills essential for combat and operational effectiveness. Historically, military training primarily involved drills aimed at fostering coordination and unity among soldiers, particularly in compact formations. However, as military technology evolved and the demands of warfare changed, the need for more structured and varied training methods emerged. By the mid-nineteenth century, new approaches included lectures and practical demonstrations, reflecting advances in military science.
During World War I, different countries adopted distinct training philosophies. Germany focused on comprehensive training that aimed to make soldiers versatile in various roles, while the United States and France implemented a more analytical approach, emphasizing efficiency and the breakdown of complex tasks into manageable steps. This evolution in military training reflects broader changes in society and technology, highlighting the importance of adaptability in preparing military personnel for the challenges of modern warfare. Overall, military training remains a critical component of defense readiness, emphasizing both individual skills and teamwork.
Subject Terms
Military training
Teaching soldiers to handle weapons and maneuver in battle. Until the nineteenth century, almost all training involved the drill, a series of exercises that imparted coordination and a sense of unity to soldiers fighting in compact groups. Other skills, such as uniform care and preparation of rations, were taught to new troops by veterans. By the mid-nineteenth century, shorter terms of service and improvements in military science necessitated more regular training—particularly lectures, demonstrations, and exercises in the application of military technology. During World War I (1914–1918), Germany relied upon “comprehensive” training, crash courses intended to render troops “jacks of all trades.” The United States and France ultimately opted for the analytical approach of military “Taylorism” (so named for the U.S. proponent of industrial efficiency, Frederick W. Taylor), which reduced difficult tasks to a series of explicitly defined actions.
