The Soldier’s Load and The Mobility of a Nation by Colonel S.L.A. Marshall; 1980; 120 pages; The Marine Corps Association, Quantico, VA; Interlibrary Loan from the Foley Center, Gonzaga University; 6/6/09-6/9/09

Another book from the United States Marine Corps professional reading list.  In this essay originally written in 1950, Marshall voices the view that fatigue combines with fear to stop some soldiers in their tracks.  He is convinced that soldiers are overloaded because of those at the top wanting to insure that the soldier wants for nothing.  He makes the case that the best soldiers, with the highest morale and the best results are those that travel lightly and he uses examples from the Roman legions to the the 50′s.   He makes a very good case that the soldier can carry less, especially with the advent of the motorized supply lines.  “The well being of any people living under a free system comes from the measures they take to keep themselves strong rather than from what they do weaken their possible enemies.” RRRR