Layout 1 - Civil Air Patrol

04-Chapter 9 Reboot Attempt PP 3-4_Layout 1 5/4/12 12:29 Page 3
Rise of the Meritocracy. Why did nations abandon the idea that who
your father was or how much money you had would be the most important
considerations in selecting officers After the American and
French revolutions, egalitarian ideals took root. Wealth and ancestry,
and later race and gender, no longer were viewed as fair or honorable
measures of a leader. Each individual is equal, at least in dignity.
Egalitarian ideas naturally led to the concept of the meritocracy. In a
meritocracy, merit rules. The smartest, most creative, most expert,
most accomplished individuals are able to rise to the top and earn
the most prestigious and rewarding positions.
egalitarian
Relating to the principle that all
people are equal and deserve
equal rights and opportunities.
Rise of Technology. At the same time that old biases fell to egalitarian
and meritocratic ideals, warfare become more complicated. The
19 th century gave rise to the Industrial Revolution, producing gamechanging
new technologies. Military leaders realized that to master
new technologies like iron-clad ships, rifling, flintlock cannons, mechanically-fused
land mines, railroads, battlefield medicine, and
more, officers would have to undergo specialized training. Any random
rich son of a prominent father wouldn’t necessarily be suited to
the demands of the increasingly technical and complex demands of
military leadership. Officers were not born; rather, they were educated
and trained for the profession of arms.
The Service Academies
The United States maintains service
academies to train and educate an
officer corps. The academies reflect
the ideals of an officer corps constituted
upon merit, not birthright.
Birth of the Modern Officer Corps. The rise of the meritocracy and
the new complexity of warfare gave birth to the concept of the modern
officer corps. This Prussian government decree from 1808 summarizes
that new view of officership, a view that remains dominant
even today:
USMA West Point
“The only title to an officer’s commission shall be, in time
of peace, education and professional knowledge; in time
of war, distinguished valor and perception. From the
entire nation, therefore, all individuals who possess
these qualities are eligible for the highest military
posts. All previously existing class preference in the
military establishment is abolished, and every man,
without regard to his origins, has equal duties and
equal rights.” 2
USNA Annapolis
USCGA New London
3
USAFA Colorado Springs