Military Professionalism and the Early American Officer Corps, 1789-1796
Abstract
In September 2012, the Department of the Army published new capstone doctrine, Army Doctrine Publication 1 (ADP 1), "The Army," in which the concept of military professionalism occupies an especially prominent place. Military history can and should provide context for this renewed focus on professionalism. This study's central argument is that during President George Washington's administration, the Army officer corps developed a limited but very real and particularly American style of military professionalism. Contrary to the belief of most historians who disregard the notion of professionalism developing before the War of 1812, the early officer corps quickly developed significant professional characteristics. Such professionalism developed alongside the amateurism that was also evident during the officer corps' first decades. Central to this argument is an acceptance of the broad definition of professionalism laid out in "The Army." This broad definition allows a focus on the core of the meaning of military professionalism, disallowing a hasty rejection of any professionalism within the early officer corps simply because, for instance, officers did not matriculate at a military academy. Instead, this definition encourages examining professionalism in light of the fundamental and enduring characteristics of trust, military expertise, honorable service, esprit de corps, and stewardship. Understanding the strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and limitations of the early officer corps' approach to professionalism in light of these five key characteristics provides important background and a useful conceptual framework to more fully understand the American military tradition and today's doctrine concerning military professionalism. This thesis examines the nature of the professionalism of the Army's officer corps from its establishment in 1789 with the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, until 1796, as Washington's presidency and the Northwest Indian War ended.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 13, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA589944
Entities
People
- Christopher W. Wingate
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College