The Procurement and Training of Ground Combat Troops (United States Army in World War II: The Army Ground Forces)

In the series of historical studies of the Army Ground Forces, 1942-45, a volume previously published, The Organization of Ground Combat Troops, deals with policies governing the number, size, composition, and equipment of the ground combat units in World War II. This volume centers on training, the principal mission of the Army Ground Forces. Since the obtaining of qualified personnel proved to be basic to the fulfillment of this mission, the first three studies deal with the procurement of enlisted men and officers possessed of the qualities and aptitudes desired for service in ground combat. The three studies which follow discuss the policies and problems involved in the training of individuals, enlisted and commissioned, for their special functions in ground combat—a responsibility which the Commanding General of the Army Ground Forces received in March 1942 as successor to the chiefs of the statutory arms. The last four studies in the volume deal with the training of units, which the Army Ground Forces regarded as its principal and most urgent task.