Basic training (Military education) | - Theodore Roosevelt Center

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Harold L. Ickes

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Harold L. Ickes about using the posts he suggested to create the extra officers the military will soon require. Roosevelt does not want to become involved in advocating for the details, however, as he wants to focus on what he considers to be the main issue–encouraging American preparedness and national solidarity while monitoring developments in Europe, the Pacific, and Mexico. Roosevelt does not believe in a large standing army, but he does support a large navy and universal military training. Roosevelt admits he is “ashamed of America” because of its current stance in regards to World War I.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-21

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry L. Stimson

Theodore Roosevelt agrees with Henry L. Stimson about universal military training and has mentioned using the Swiss as a model. Roosevelt cannot give Stimson his authority on Australia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-12-22

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Arthur Hamilton Lee

The Wilson administration has behaved “infamously,” and Theodore Roosevelt considers President Wilson to be a timid man who will “avoid war at all hazards.” Wilson is favoring Germany and attempting to keep the German American and pacifist vote. Roosevelt breaks down American opinion into four sections; German Americans, professional pacifists, the majority who are not interested in international affairs, and a small percentage that think like him. Three of Roosevelt’s sons have finished training at the Plattsburgh camp, and they all did well. He has his volunteer division sketched out and guarantees it will do its duty. Roosevelt is distressed at Russia being “terribly smashed,” and he hopes the allies can stay together as they can win the war together.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-09-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt visited the Plattsburgh camp and there was a great “jamboree.” The Wilson administration “took ferocious umbrage” at Roosevelt’s speech but he is glad he spoke out. Ted Roosevelt did well at the camp and was named a First Lieutenant. Ethel Roosevelt Derby was distressed that Richard Derby had not been made a Corporal, but there is often only one promotion and twenty suitable candidates. Roosevelt paid close attention to Captains Van Horn and Collins. He was impressed and asked them to visit Oyster Bay, New York.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-09-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Huelin C. O’Neill

Theodore Roosevelt conveys his deepest sympathies to Huelin C. O’Neill on the death of his son. Roosevelt agrees with O’Neill about how unprepared the United States is to meet the threat of World War, and he believes that there should be compulsory universal military training. Roosevelt has had enough of “peace-at-any-price apostles” who will bring “only dishonor and disaster.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-06-16

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Stewart Edward White

Theodore Roosevelt enjoyed reading about Stewart Edward White’s adventure with the four lions and asks when White’s book is being published. Due to the government’s failure to make any military preparations, a movement is beginning to organize and train citizens for military service. Roosevelt has suggested that White serve on the advisory council. Americans “seem incapable of learning except by disaster.” Roosevelt has heard that Californians are supporting President Wilson because they want peace, but their policies towards Japanese immigration are most responsible for antagonizing Japan.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-03-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Francis E. Warren

President Roosevelt outlines his goals for training an efficient army for Senator Warren. In particular, he would like them to be trained in marksmanship and to undertake long marches under service conditions as training. He hopes Congress will grant the appropriations to make this possible.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1906-02-16

Letter from John St. Loe Strachey to Theodore Roosevelt

John St. Loe Strachey was pleased to hear from Andrew Carnegie that President Roosevelt is just as healthy as when he took office. Strachey believes this proves that hard work never hurt anyone, as long as they get enough exercise and sleep. Strachey reports on exercises conducted in his field and near his home by the Irish Guard, and concludes that soldiers are happier when they are worked hard.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-06-03

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John T. McCutcheon

Theodore Roosevelt was pleased to hear that John T. McCutcheon will be participating in the summer military camp. He believes the work will be valuable and a first step in developing a “comprehensive reserve system.”

Collection

Newberry Library

Creation Date

1915-08-02

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt would like to see Harvard “take the lead in every real movement for making our country stand as it should stand.” However, too many “Harvard men” are supporting the pacifist movement. These pacifists belong with the “college sissy who disapproves of football or boxing because it is rough.” Roosevelt describes the pacifist movement as detrimental and ignoble. He argues that the United States needs to prepare materially, spiritually, and morally for war. Roosevelt recommends a course of military training at Harvard.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-11-20

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Archibald B. Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt compliments Archibald Roosevelt on his promotion to captain. He cautions Archie against overworking himself and damaging his health. Roosevelt is disappointed in the inefficiency and unpreparedness of the military but the same problems existed during his service in the Spanish-American War. He believes that a regiment raised from volunteers at the outset would be superior to a regular regiment. Roosevelt continues to speak about speeding up the war and improving military training.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1918-01-05

Don’t buy your guns until you see the whites of their eyes

Handwritten essay supporting military readiness and compulsory military service in the war against Germany. Published in Metropolitan Magazine, 1917.

Collection

Harvard College Library

Creation Date

1917

Letter from Hermann Speck von Sternburg to Theodore Roosevelt

Hermann Speck von Sternburg has recently traveled to India, and reports on the military strategies and maneuvers of English and German troops. Sternburg believes that in a “real” war, the English’s strategy would be disastrous against the Germans. He believes that only American soldiers could spread out and operate well in the way they describe. Sternburg describes the Germans’ military readiness, discipline, and training. Sternburg further believes that American workers are superior to Europeans, both in terms of labor and as fighters, due largely to their “brains, individuality, & skill using machinery.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-10-28

Mounted infantry

Hermann Speck von Sternburg reviews the uses, training, and equipment of mounted infantry.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-05