In conjunction with the other armed forces of the United States, the Army is charged with preserving the peace and security of the nation, supporting national policies, carrying out national objectives, and defeating the ground forces of any nation that threatens American peace and security. As part of the coordinated defense team, which includes air and sea power, the service has primary responsibility for prompt and sustained land combat and is organized, trained, and equipped for that mission. After the fighting, the Army must also control the population until civil law is reestablished.

In previous years a number of my predecessors have prepared official reports of their stewardship as Chief of Staff. I have therefore prepared this report to present the major goals, challenges, issues, and achievements of the United States Army during my tenure as Chief of Staff from July 1968 through June 1972. The period was critical, a time when rapid transition and increasing constraints reflected changing national strategy and priorities. While the United States was disengaging from the conflict in Southeast Asia, the Army undertook a process of readjustment and reorientation that included major reductions in troop strength.

This accounting is, however, more than a status or progress report. It is also an attempt to clarify the role of the Army in national defense and to discuss frankly the issues that affect the service, internally and externally, and Army objectives as the service moves from the Vietnam era to the future as a professional, balanced, modernized force, prepared to support the national strategy of the seventies. The report deals with the major problems of the service, many of which were shared by the whole of society, and the measures taken to solve them.

Army forces constitute a major element of this nation's ability to prevent or to defend against all forms of war. The forward deployed forces, strategic reserves, and reserve components supply the trained units and individuals necessary for a viable strategy. These forces provide the military and psychological strength to demonstrate to potential aggressors that the United States and its allies will act decisively if attacked. The Army also has the important mission of providing military advice, training assistance, and materiel support to allied armies. Through these and many other diverse activities, the U.S. Army supports the national objectives.

In his First Annual Report to the Congress on United States Foreign Policy for the 1970's, President Richard M. Nixon in February 1970 announced a "New Strategy for Peace"—a revised American foreign policy to match the new era in international relations. This strategy required strength to safeguard the vital interests of the United States and its allies, partnership with the allies, and a willingness to negotiate with all nations on issues of importance. Specifically, the Nixon Doctrine, first enunciated in 1969, required the United States to adhere to its treaty commitments, to provide a shield if an ally were threatened by a nuclear power, and to furnish appropriate economic and military assistance in case of aggression against an ally; in turn, the United States would expect the threatened ally to assume the primary responsibility for providing manpower for its own defense. The United States could not continue to meet unilaterally the entire spectrum of threats facing all its allies, particularly those of subversion and guerrilla warfare. Allies would have to bear their share. The nature and extent of American involvement in the future would depend on the political and economic interests of the United States, on the desire of the United States to prevent or contain hostilities that could lead to major conflicts and endanger world peace, and on the strategic value of the threatened area.

After a general statement of the tasks and prospects facing the Army from 1968 to 1972, this report goes on to describe the activities of the service around the world, starting in Indochina and continuing through the Far East, the Pacific, Europe, the Western Hemisphere, and the continental United States. This account is followed by discussions of the continuing efforts of the Army to resolve a number of problems, to improve, modernize, and manage its forces, and to assist society. The report concludes with a description of the actions taken to maintain an efficient and responsive force for the future.

In the four years covered, the signal goal of the Army was to build a positive and effective defense capable of meeting any future contingency, and at the same time to carry on the war in Vietnam. Despite its own manpower and fiscal difficulties and in the face of domestic unrest, the Army accepted the challenge and laid the foundation for a strong peacetime force. The full measure of our success during this period of transition will not be known for some time, but indications have been encouraging.

Assembling the facts for this report was a work of collaboration among Army staff agencies and several contributors separated by time and distance. To the extent that circumstances permitted, the manuscript benefited from a free exchange of critical comments and suggestions from both within and without the Army staff.

Final sifting of the comments was entrusted to Colonel Reamer W. Argo, project officer, to whom this report owes a great deal. While the manuscript was in preparation, a number of people contributed to its betterment, in particular Major Garry L. Patton and Ms. Virginia Dyer. Loretto Stevens and John Elsberg of the editorial staff of the Center of Military History, who were responsible for final editing, gave skilled assistance.

My own endeavors were of course influenced by those with whom I worked, but I alone am responsible for the views and interpretations advanced and the conclusions reached.

Deserving of gratitude are the Honorable Stanley R. Resor and the Honorable Robert F. Froehlke, who, serving successively as Secretary of the Army, provided the service with able guidance and supervision. It was a privilege to serve with them as the Army's Chief of Staff.

Washington, D.C.
1 May 1977

WILLIAM C. WESTMORELAND