Big Picture: History of Maneuvers

National Archives and Records Administration

ARC Identifier 2569744 / Local Identifier 111-TV-496

Big Picture: History of Maneuvers

DVD Copied by Liz Pruszko - Department of Defense. Department of the Army. Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. U.S. Army Audiovisual Center. (ca. 1974 - 05/15/1984). This film suggests the complexity and variety of modern warfare. It points out that war has changed, is constantly changing. It is being remolded by a multiplicity of new instruments, tactics, strategies, and purposes. Only one element of combat remains constant. The human one. How is he prepared for the ever-changing contest where you don't get a second chance? The film illustrates how a civilian becomes, first, an individual soldier and second, a member of fighting units - the squad, platoon, and so forth. It explains that when units of battle group size and larger are trained in the field, the modern field training exercise or maneuver is required. Aware of the fact that we no longer will be allowed time to get ready for war, the point is made that we must be ready now. Then the film details the exacting preparations that go into a present day maneuver. It illustrates the various kinds of maneuvers that have been held to enable our troops to fight efficiently under any conditions in any terrain, and to utilize the latest weapons and strategies. Finally, the film illustrates some of the payoffs of training with the result in combat and concludes with a presentation of the current readiness of the Army as exemplified by STRAC.