This study examines the efforts to promote professionalism in the Officer Corps during the period 1877-1898. Initially, definitions are provided to identify the focus of the study and an examination of key 19th century concepts is made. Then issues affecting the growth of professionalism in America are discussed, followed by evidence of the growth of institutional and individual professionalism in the Army. The conditions encountered by the bulk of the Army during this time were daunting. However, forces were dramatically altering American society. External influences and the operational environment interacted to forge conditions conducive to military professionalism. Throughout this period a variety of measures were pursued which created an institutional basis for professionalism, leading to the acceptance of the unique position of soldiers in society and the requirement for expertise. Within the Officer Corps there were indicators of a rising interest in the profession. These efforts were evolutionary in nature. The definition of the Army's role and subsequent efforts to prepare the Officer Corps represented the pursuit of national security. It was a course which would ultimately become irreversible. All of the divergent effort was to coalesce later to produce an Army for the twentieth century.

ADA 227421 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)