Drill And Ceremonies FM22-5 (June 1950) by Department Of The Army - 1950

Washington D. C.: Department of the Army. Very Good-. 1950. Paperback. B&W Illustrations; This is a small format paperback book with heavy cardstock covers and a side-stapled spine. The book is in Very Good- condition and was issued without a dust jacket. The spine ends and corners of the book covers have some light bumping, rubbing and edge wear, along with beginning tearing to the top spine joints. The text pages are generally clean and bright. There is some blue smudging to the title page. Includes black and white photographs. "Military history reveals that armies throughout the world have participated in some form of drill. The primary value of drill historically has been to prepare troops for battle. For the most part, the drill procedures practiced have been identical to the tactical maneuvers employed on the battlefield. Drill has enabled commanders to quickly move their forces from one point to another, mass their forces into a battle formation that afforded maximum firepower, and maneuver those forces as the situation developed. In 1775, when this country was striving for independence and existence, the nation’s leaders were confronted with the problem of not only establishing a government but also of organizing an army that was already engaged in war. From the "shot heard around the world," on 19 April 1775, until Valley Forge in 1778, revolutionary forces were little more than a group of civilians fighting Indian-style against well-trained, highly disciplined British Redcoats. For three years, General George Washington’s troops had endured many hardships--lack of funds, rations, clothing, and equipment. In addition, they had suffered loss after loss to the superior British forces. These hardships and losses mostly stemmed from the lack of a military atmosphere in country. Thus, an army was created with little or no organization, control, discipline, or teamwork. " (from the Drill Pad History website) .