General George Washington; Exemplar-in-Chief:: A Historical Analysis Of George Washington’s Influence On The Early Continental Army And Civil Military Relations

By Major A. J. Straley

George Washington was an “Exemplar-in-Chief” who had an indelible influence on the nature and character of the early Continental Army, an influence that set the precedence and affected how the United States military would interact with civil authority under the new institution of a democratic republic.
Through an analysis of the historical record there are multiple examples of George Washington’s early influence in shaping the nature and character of the United States military. Today’s American military is a direct descendant of the early Continental Army which fought the War for Independence, and was shaped by Washington’s influence. In analyzing Washington’s motives, actions, to include correspondence and court martial rulings, this study will attempt to open a window into understanding Washington’s influence on the Continental Army and, therefore, the American military tradition among the officer corps to the present day.
Washington was not just a Command-in-Chief, but an Exemplar-in-Chief who left a lasting impression on the American military structure, that has held strong for over two hundred years. Through his actions during the creation of the army and leading that army during the Revolution, he forever set the framework for the civil-military tradition which has never seen a credible or serious military coup. The character and nature of today’s military will not permit an environment that would allow a military coup to begin. This character and nature is a direct result of the profound significance of George Washington’s motives in joining the cause and his actions during the struggle. Washington’s influence is not only significant.... it cemented the military subordination to civilian authority which has lasted till today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Golden Springs Publishing
• Release date: Aug 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781782896517

Major A. J. Straley

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Text originally published in 2009 under the same title.

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GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON; EXEMPLAR-IN-CHIEF:

A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON’S INFLUENCE ON THE EARLY CONTINENTAL ARMY AND CIVIL MILITARY RELATIONS

MAJOR A. J. STRALEY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

Executive Summary 5

Preface 6

Acknowledgements 7

Introduction 8

Washington’s Motives 9

First: Was Washington motivated by monetary gain? 9

Second: Was Washington motivated by ideology and service to others? 10

What Washington risked 12

Washington’s motives in summary: 12

Building a Professional Army 14

Encourage Enlistment: 14

Inflated Capabilities of the Militias: 15

Instilling Discipline: 16

Prevent the commandeering of material: 17

Court Martial Rulings: 18

Civil Authority 20

Despite Actions of Congress: 20

Despite Actions of Officers: 22

Despite the absence of a model: 23

Conclusion 23

REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 25

Bibliography 26

Executive Summary

Title: General George Washington; Exemplar-in-Chief: A Historical analysis of George Washington’s Influence on the Early Continental Army and Civil Military Relations

Author: Major Andrew Straley, United States Marine Corps

Thesis: George Washington was an Exemplar-in-Chief who had an indelible influence on the nature and character of the early Continental Army, an influence that set the precedence and affected how the United States military would interact with civil authority under the new institution of a democratic republic.

Discussion: Through an analysis of the historical record there are multiple examples of George Washington’s early influence in shaping the nature and character of the United States military. Today’s American military is a direct descendant of the early Continental Army which fought the War for Independence, and was shaped by Washington’s influence. In analyzing Washington’s motives, actions, to include correspondence and court martial rulings, this study will attempt