This is a very practical work that must be read by not only students of history, but those in the US Military ((officers and NCO's) as well as those whom have influence over current US military policy! IAW a recent news article from USA Today 71% of US citizens, I believe from 18-24-years old are ineligible military service due to health conditions and a criminal record among other things. This book written, after the Roman republic had loosened its standards on the Roman Legions- equipment, training and quality of of its levied soldiers, sustained horrific defeats and set the stage, among other things, for the downfall of the Western Roman Empire.
In Book I- "the Selection and Training of New Levies" it states "Victory in war does not depend entirely upon numbers or mere courage; only skill and discipline will insure it." (cited from: Vegetius. On Roman Military Matters: A Training Manual in Organization, Weapons and Tactics Practiced by the Roman Legions (p. 7). Red and Black Publishers. Kindle Edition.) Furthermore, it states "But to all these advantages the Romans opposed unusual care in the choice of their levies and in their military training. They thoroughly understood the importance of hardening them by continual practice, and of training them to every maneuver that might happen in the line and in action. Nor were they less strict in punishing idleness and sloth. The courage of a soldier is heightened by his knowledge of his profession, and he only wants an opportunity to execute what he is convinced he has been perfectly taught. A handful of men, inured to war, proceed to certain victory, while on the contrary numerous armies of raw and undisciplined troops are but multitudes of men dragged to slaughter. (cited from: Vegetius. On Roman Military Matters: A Training Manual in Organization, Weapons and Tactics Practiced by the Roman Legions (pgs. 7-8). Red and Black Publishers. Kindle Edition. ) Additionally, it states under "Trades Proper For New Levies," "In choosing recruits regard should be given to their trade. Fishermen, fowlers, confectioners, weavers, and in general all whose professions more properly belong to women should, in my opinion, by no means be admitted into the service. On the contrary, smiths, carpenters, butchers, and huntsmen are the most proper to be taken into it. On the careful choice of soldiers depends the welfare of the Republic, and the very essence of the Roman Empire and its power is so inseparably connected with this charge, that it is of the highest importance not to be entrusted indiscriminately, but only to persons whose fidelity can be relied on. (Cited from: Vegetius. On Roman Military Matters: A Training Manual in Organization, Weapons and Tactics Practiced by the Roman Legions (p. 11). Red and Black Publishers. Kindle Edition. ) Finally, it further states "An army raised without proper regard to the choice of its recruits was never yet made good by length of time; and we are now convinced by fatal experience that this is the source of all our misfortunes. So many defeats can only be imputed to the effects of a long peace which has made us negligent and careless in the choice of our levies and to the inclination so prevalent among the better sort in preferring the civil posts of the government to the profession of arms and to the shameful conduct of the superintendents, who, through interest or connivance, accept many men which those who are obliged to furnish substitutes for the army choose to send, and admit such men into the service as the masters themselves would not even keep for servants. (cited from: Vegetius. On Roman Military Matters: A Training Manual in Organization, Weapons and Tactics Practiced by the Roman Legions (p. 12). Red and Black Publishers. Kindle Edition.)
The book then goes into training and hardening of troops- daily. Troops must be able to swim, jump, vault, run and march great distances with "60-pounds" of equipment and march in rank with order and discipline up to 20 something miles in 5-hours in the summer heat. Furthermore, they must train with weapons and equipment heavier than what they will carry into battle against the enemy. The soldiers should be more than proficient with their assigned armor, and individual weapons, in this case the short sword, javelin, bow-arrow, sling and shield. Additionally, the book states at least 3-times a month in peace all elements of the entire legion (infantry, cavalry, auxiliaries, etc...) should be exercised on maneuvers in different and varying terrain and against different "enemy" scenarios... so that they are not surprised in combat and can act as one.
The book also, reiterates, the importance of fortifications or in modern terminology of digging in, when the Legion stops for the day regardless of any enemy treat or not, and maintaining alert guards constantly.
Sadly, once again, the Romans forgot what made them great, provided peace and prosperity throughout the Roman world- their military, and degradation of not only standards but the quality of their recruits to begin with.
This is perhaps, not unlike modern times in the US. The small farmer by and large no longer exits, where so many whom served World Wars I and II came from, and with rigorous training, brought some of the mightiest armies the world has ever known to their knees. Furthermore, when- per US Dept. of State almost 40% of the world does not recognize LGBT and others rights, so how can one say the US military is fully "worldwide" deployable- if exceptions to deployment these parts of the world are made when ordered by the US Congress??? Finally, how can one argue, that a National Guard, etc...,that trains one time per month is superior to an "active" military component that not only works but trains 24/7- seven days a week and just about every day of the year- situation dependent?
Finally, the book discuses resting of troops,m and that often the 3rd-rested rank carried the day. In World War I and World War II, units were routinely brought out of the line to rest, reorganize and retrain as necessary or sent to less active sectors. Perhaps a lesson, from this book yet again to be learned? As in OEF/OIF certain components of US Military only served 6-month tours, while other units were deployed time and again with very little to no rest- what does this say about what the size and composition of modern US Active Forces should perhaps be....?????? Did over deployment few active components and select NG personnel add to or detract from the signature wounds of PTSD/Depression/TBI..etc...????
One of the shortcomings of this work, I did not see was in fact education. Granted times have changed since the sword and shield and education might not have been a factor in Roman times for recruits? However, in today's modem world the basic equipment of a light-infantry soldier alone, (not talking armor, aviation, filed artillery, engineers...) more than requires a basic understanding of reading English, writing and arithmetic, but also of computers, lasers, and many other things, as well as a very good memory...???? Perhaps this has been forgotten as well..????
Anyway, this book- written over a thousand years ago, perhaps contains many l;lessons that could be applied in modern times, as the equipment and weapons may have changed since then and become severely more complex, but the principles still hold more than true- perhaps? In the end it is human beings that win wars, not technology alone., and technology is only as good as the training and routine practice received on it. Thus I give this book 5-Stars.
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G C Mellenberg
Don’t buy this version.
Reviewed in the Netherlands on July 17, 2022Amazon Customer
Identical to 'The Military Institutions of he Romans'
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2020