The purpose of this text is to provide the Army with a factual record of the measures taken to offset personnel losses during the various periods of American military history. It is the first comprehensive review of the replacement system to cover the entire span of the existence of the United States Army, but it does not contain any magic formula to follow, nor does it offer any secret key to unlock the door to the Nation's manpower resources. Success comes only from the hard work of staff officers who apply sound principles to whatever immediate situation is under consideration. These chapters in providing reference material heretofore not conveniently available offer a starting point to the student who is interested in the military personnel replacement system and to staff officers seeking to solve the replacement problems that have always plagued the Army. The footnotes will guide them to an extensive field of research if they wish to carry the study further. The chapters on the earlier periods show the foundation for the replacement system laid during the Revolution, the War of 1812, the Mexican conflict, and the Civil War.

"This publication replaces DA Pam 20-211, August 1954"--T.p.

Replacements prior to the Civil War -- The Civil War -- United States Army replacement practices, 1865-1904 -- Replacement policies during the Mexican border operations -- The World War I replacement system within the United States -- The replacement system within the AEF -- The use of divisions in the AEF replacement system -- Summary of the World War I period -- The period between World Wars I and II -- Wartime decentralization -- Efforts to meet replacement shortages -- Factors affecting replacements -- Facilities in the United States -- World War II replacement system overseas -- Conclusions.