This volume investigates the critical transition of the U.S. Army from peacetime readiness to battlefield engagement across nine major conflicts. Through the analysis of eleven original essays by leading military historians, the book examines the organization, training, and tactical doctrines employed in the initial significant engagements or campaigns of each war, seeking to understand the strengths and weaknesses revealed by their outcomes.

The collection offers a novel and intellectually challenging perspective on American military preparedness and the evolution of operations and tactics over time. By emphasizing operational history, the book aligns with the forefront of scholarly activity in the field. The synthesis of findings across multiple wars aims to uncover a distinctive pattern in the nation's initial military engagements. This approach provides a valuable resource for understanding the historical development of the U.S. Army's approach to conflict.