Oral history, in one form or another, has long been an integral part of a historian's trade. The Greek historian Thucydides wrote in "History of the Peloponnesian War:" "And with regard to my factual reporting of the events of the war I have made it a principle not to write down the first story that came my way, and not even to be guided by my own general impressions; either I was present myself at the events which I have described or else I heard of them from eye-witnesses whose reports I have checked with as much thoroughness as possible." Thucydides set a precedent for the judicious use of oral testimony, and historians following in his footsteps continue to debate the proper handling of evidence offered in personal accounts. The U.S. Army Center of Military History's concept for "Oral History Techniques and Procedures" developed in the mid-1980s. Its objective was to provide Department of the Army (DA) oral history guidance for the growing number of historians tasked with conducting interviews. The principal predecessors to this guide-the Military History Institute's "Interviewer Handbook," which consists of interview techniques for Army War College students participating in the Senior Officer Oral History Program, and DA Pamphlet 8702, "The Military Historian in the Field," which affords suggestions for combat interviews-admirably filled their niches, but a broader approach to oral history was desirable. Army Regulation 8705, "Military History: Responsibilities, Policies, and Procedures" includes a chapter on oral history and provides higher level official policy in contrast to this document's procedural guidance.

Part I. Background. What is oral history? -- Oral history in the Army / Part II. The spoken word in peacetime. The preparatory phase -- The interview -- Product management -- End-of-tour interview program -- Videotaping interviews / Part III. The spoken word in wartime. Penetrating the 'fog of battle' -- Exit and subject interviews -- Product management / Part IV: Appendixes. A: Audio equipment -- B: Access agreement -- C: Production status sheet -- D: Interview report form -- E: EOT core questions -- F: MHD question list -- G: Preparing CAAIRs -- H: Sample index for CAAIs / Part V. Suggested readings. General -- Methodology and theory -- Access and product management -- Military application.