Strategic Leadership

Editors’ Preface

On February 21, 1906, the cornerstone for the U.S. Army War College was laid. In attendance were President Theodore Roosevelt, Secretary of War Elihu Root, several Supreme Court justices, and a host of foreign dignitaries. As Roosevelt entered the historic parade grounds, the flag was run up to the top of the flagstaff, and members of the Fourth Battery Light Artillery fired the traditional 21-gun salute. Simultaneously, more than 1,000 troops marched onto the field and saluted the commander in chief. The New York Times reporter covering the ceremonies captured the scene with one word: “momentous.”

Roosevelt, known for his “progressive” and at times bellicose positions, stated that the War College should be a matter of pride ...