Considering a Cadre Augmented Army - RAND Corporation

-308- A Historical Analysis of Cadre
logical twentieth-century adaptation of the Steuben plan of national military organization
which Washington approved in 1784.” 133
Although the Stimson plan deviated sharply from previous recommendations from
the War Department, there was little immediate response because “the War Department
report could not make a permanent policy commitment.” 134 However, the report would
serve as the basis for future policy recommendations made by the War Department. 135 It
appeared that the military establishment had rejected the cadre forces of Calhoun and
Upton. However, Congress had not yet created any legislation to support a new system.
3.5—LEGISLATING FOR A NEW MILITARY POLICY
The Stimson plan rejected the cadre force of Emory Upton in favor of a fully formed
Regular Army supported by the National Guard. Although not immediately implemented,
this new military policy would be the subject of great debate and would finally lead to
Congressional legislation in the Volunteer Act of 1914 and the National Defense Act of
1916. These acts further strengthened the National Guard.
Congress passed the Volunteer Act of 1914 with the goal of strengthening the
National Guard. 136 This Act allowed the President to use the National Guard outside of the
United States by allowing Guard personnel to volunteer as individuals into federal service
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133 Palmer (1941), p. 132
134 Weigley (1984), p. 340
135 Reports published by the War Department in 1915 and 1916 were based on the Report on the Organization of
the Land Forces of the United States [United States War Department (1915), United States War Department (1916)].
136 United States Congress (1914)