The Prussian Reform Movement: A Case Study in Defense Reform

Abstract

The author examines the development of the Prussian officers' corps and General Staff system during the Prussian Reform Movement of 1806-1819. Using this movement as a case study in defense reform, the author determines the basis of the Prussian tradition of excellence central to understanding the qualities of Prusso-German officership which generated the tactics and methods of command and control many now wish to emulate. The author determines the historical roots and the essence of Prussian officership. The major conclusion of this study is that the essence of Prussian officership is individual, not institutional, excellence informed by the spirit of Bildung, that is, an acceptance of the lifelong requirements of an educated, cultured officer corps. Keywords; Prussia; Defense Reform; Command and control; General staff; Military education; Officership.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA218326

Entities

People

  • James M. Liepman Jr.

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • American Revolution
  • Command And Control
  • Doctrine
  • Governments
  • Military Education
  • Military History
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Personality
  • Personnel Management
  • Political Systems
  • Students
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Education

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Military Leadership and Professional Education.

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control