War constitutes an important part of history that has helped shape many incidences experienced in the present as well as in the future, and the World War I is no exception. The 20th Century experienced many developments historically that ranges from the social, economic as well as political aspects that have impacted many issues to the present. The experience documented and realized by those in the front line in the world War I among other wars have also shaped issues relating to military and war at large in the contemporary times. Militaries have changed and shaped drastically in the contemporary times when compared to the past especially at the times that the world wars were fought such as World War I such as structure and tactic among many others aspects. However, this paper analyses the positive impact that emerged from the soldier’s experience in the World War I that helped reinforce positive changes in military tactics and strategy, address post-traumatic stress disorders as well as nurturing cultural aspects in the military operations.
As they say, experience is the best teacher and, therefore, the experience that soldiers during World War I had played a critical lesson. It taught and educated the military not only in the countries that actively participated in the warfare but also other countries as a whole. It has, thus, provided a reference and consultation part in designing of the military strategies and tactics used in the warfare. Before the war, many had not understood the relevance of the military at the time. There were fewer wars and most world developments at the time had focused on the industrial revolution and discovery of technology and machinery that enhanced production services. Many soldiers that had been recruited to many militaries in the world hardly had any combat experience 1 . Furthermore, as a result, the weapons that were developed at the time were mainly restricted and used in the defensive positions such as the machine guns and artillery that were among the standard weapons used at the time. Also, the frequency of war at the time was minimal and, therefore, some soldiers had never experienced the use of weapons especially in real-combat situation. Real-combat and war situation are different from training and models of war formulated by soldiers. The First World War, thus, gave the soldiers a real test in the application of the models and as well as the training tactics and technology in a dynamic situation and different terrains worldwide 2 . The tactics related to technological developments, thus, led to invention and introduction of newer weapons and machinery to be used during the wars such as tanks and poisonous gas that impacted on the war greatly. The experience that soldiers in the front line had necessitated the need and urge for research and development of weapons that could overcome the realities and experience encountered in the frontline. Before that, it was difficult to imagine the use of poisonous gas as a military tactic and strategy to alternate the weapons. Such introduction, therefore, made combat warfare very unpredictable. It also led to a review and formation of companies, sections, brigades, and platoons among other military set up that determine the strategies and tactics used in combat. It, thus, provided a forum in which models could be reviewed that replicated the most likely combat situation as experienced and narrated by soldiers of the World War I 3 . To date, the experience has compelled militaries in the world to engage in research and development of weapons actively. Also, tactics and strategies that replicate most likely scenarios in combat and technology such as infrared that can enhance night visions and, hence, place a country soldiers at a better chance to encounter and overcome their enemies. Also, the dynamisms that the war experienced regarding regional and geographical differences as the war was fought in many places in the world encouraged research among the military organizations. And, formulation of models that can best work in particular topographical region and areas that they have combat and, hence, increase the chances of likely positive outcomes made in successful wars. It, hence, eliminated the generalizations regarding military models for combat and encouraged specific model that is based on the topographical and weather aspects of areas that are likely to experience combat. To date, the military has encouraged tactics and strategies that are custom-made to suit varied combat environments. The experiences, therefore, from the soldiers in the First World War, has shaped positively many aspects related to the military in the present times as well as contributing greatly to military training and schools as a reference and consultation regarding the experiences 4 . Technological experience and research, for instance, in the present times has led to increased advancement in technology such as of drones noted in the present times. The soldier’s experience, thus, provides the foundations and framework in which such developments could be encouraged.
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When the moment the term ‘post-traumatic stress disorder’ is heard, many reflect and view the military among other law enforcement agencies that are likely to experience the situation. Military operations and combat have proved to be intensive and deadly that can put soldier’s life to experience post-traumatic stress disorders as a result of the combat environments, and the world war soldiers are not exempted from that reality. The post-traumatic stress disorders affect most soldiers in both the combat environment as well as post-combat environments and, thus, have become an important subject in formulation of the military strategies in the contemporary times. From experience noted in the soldier's diaries and memoirs about the combat, it indicated the stress that they encountered that resulted either from missing their families and loved ones, to operations difficulties in the combat zone as well as the difficult environments with dead bodies of enemy combatants as well as colleagues 5 . At times it led to mental breakdown that led to the highest number of suicides committed by the World War I, soldiers. For example, over 3828 soldiers (German soldiers) committed suicide when they experienced the psychological, mental breakdown. Also, after the combat, the soldiers still experience the stress and psychological disorders as a result of transition challenges to the civilian life. The experience, therefore, has resulted in drastic changes in the formulation of strategies that try to deal with the soldier’s welfare that can reduce the chance of creating stress that can result in the post-traumatic stress disorders. The causes of the stress related to the operation have provided a reference point that progress is made to eliminate causes of such stress. For instance, the communication aspects of many militaries have greatly improved to incorporate new technology that can help them relay messages and communicate not only with other soldiers in the combat zone but also other militaries agencies and operations that can increase the chances of successful combat operations that can help eliminate the causes of stress. For example, most militaries presently have counseling services even in the operations and combat zones that try to help soldiers that experience challenges that can lead to stress and, hence, impact the operations negatively. The main target of such military roles is to ensure that the morale of the soldiers in combat is high enabling them to perform the expectation and complete the mission with ease. The experience of the World War I soldiers noted in their memoirs, as well as their diaries, proved relevant 6 . Also, the transition from the military setup has proved difficult to many soldiers not only at the time of World War I but also currently. The environment between the two is different when compared. It, thus, implies that measures have to be instituted to help the military transform to the civilian life to eliminate or reduce the chances of developing the stress that can lead to other negative healthcare concerns. Many militaries, therefore, have programs that help soldiers transit to civilian life after active service and combat operations. For example, training them on the different relevant skills to assist them transit to civilian life at the end of the military career as well as placing them on jobs 7 . For instance, with security firms and military-related companies that help them extend their skills and profession to eliminate and reduce the chances of developing stress that can be detrimental to their life as experienced by the soldiers in the World War I.
Culture is an important part of communities and region at large that define their beliefs and actions across the board. During the First World War, many soldiers traversed borders and regions to fight in active combat in different parts of the world with different cultures. It brought a different element in the military as some soldiers were shocked with the diverse cultures in the environment that they fought and the culture-shock impacted their performance as soldiers negatively. There were soldiers from all the places in the world that came from all continents as far as Africa, Europe, and Asia among other areas that the Commonwealth countries had colonized. They at times experienced language barriers and, thus, communication difficulties among other related to traditions and beliefs. Military operations have to meet international standards and regulation that guide war such as protection of cultural and religious monuments among others. The cultural differences that the First World War soldier’s experienced impacted on reform in the military operations and strategies related to combat as experienced in the present times. Contemporarily, before a war is launched and its operations sustained, many militaries have researched on the cultural aspects of the area and people that such combat operations take place to help them enhance the chances of successful operations. For example, they have hired or trained interpreters that can help them communicate with the people to enhance their military operations and eliminate possible civilian harm as well as help them distinguish between the enemies and friendly forces. Also, such language interpreters and competent multi-linguist soldiers have helped to intervene in the enemy communication lines enabling them to discover their plans and mission related to the combat as mostly they do so in coded language 8 . Moreover, the cultural aspects have determined the reception given to the military by the communities that such combat operations take place. The cultural experiences noted by the First World War soldiers, thus, contributed to shaping the current attributes that militaries take related to culture.
In conclusion, the soldier's experience during the First World War impacted many positive developments in the military organizations such as strategies and tactics related to weapons and operations, the management of post-traumatic stress disorder as well as cultural elements among others. It has provided a reference point for many military organizations and schools that have provided a framework that many other concepts and ideologies are developed that enhance successful military operations. The First World War, thus, should be respected not only by the military related organizations but also other subjects and organizations as it has influenced them either directly or indirectly in many ways including history.
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