183 The Spanish-American War: The Root Reforms Part II: The General Staff

We continue our story of reform with a focus on the creation and establishment of a General Staff. Lead by a Chief of Staff, Secretary of War Elihu Root wanted to create an institution that would serve as the brain of the Army. Despite the best efforts of the General in Chief, Nelson Miles, the legislation to create a General Staff passed Congress. Unfortunately, after Root left government service, the Adjutant General, Fred C. Ainsworth, circumvented what Root wanted. After years of keeping the Army under his thumb, he left, allowing the Chief of Staff Leonard Wood to continue to shape the institution for the future.

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