Page:Military organization of the United States (IA militaryorganiza00comm).pdf/8

8 b. Organization for war implies thorough and sound preparation therefor. Thorough preparation includes a correct organization of all arms, branches, and services, and plans for the transition of the nation from a peace to a war basis. Sound preparation results from the appreciation of correct conclusions as to the resources of the country, the characteristics of the people, and the lessons taught by experiences in prior wars.

2. —a. War between nations results from a conflict of national aspirations. National aspirations conflict as a result of racial, political, economical, and commercial competition or rivalries. These are questions of national policy. The national policy of a government dictates the character of its military policy. A sound military policy comprises the adoption and application of measures necessary for national defense and for the protection and the promotion of national policies.

b. Preparation and organization for war are based primarily on military requirements. Military requirements depend on the force needed by a nation to maintain its sovereignty, to promote its national aspirations, and to defend its national policies. The size and character of the force required are dictated largely by the extent to which national aspirations and policies of other nations. Preparation for war results from a correct national and governmental appreciation of military requirements and from the adoption and application of a military policy to meet these requirements.

c. The essential of a military policy is a correct scheme of national defense, supported by governmental provisions for its execution. The provisions for its execution comprise the necessary armament, equipment, and organized and trained man-power with which to conduct a war, and the efficient adaption of national resources and industries to supply the provisions and munitions of war. The preparation, organization, mobilization, and operation of the national military resources made available by the government are functions of the War Department.

d. The military policy of the United States contemplates the maintenance of a small and highly trained peace establishment, consisting of the Regular Army, the National