BR25189 U.S. Infantry Company Officer Looking Around Corner, 1943-45

For the U.S. Military, tactical decision making on a squad level supersedes hierarchical command directive in any closequarter situation. The U.S. Army has prided itself on the strength of its Junior and Noncommissioned officers and their leadership abilities since the days of Sgt. York. And even though some may disparage the “90 Day Wonders” of the officer’s training schools, few of those men failed the test in the field. The ability to step in and assume command at a sectional level has long been a hallmark of the American military and is what sets them apart from most armed forces even today.