In honor of Tuesday’s birthday of the Armor branch, the Harding Project and MWI published a profile of ARMOR written by Dave Daigle, one of the last uniformed editors. Dave explains how ARMOR has evolved since 1888—but that the core missions of linking leaders and enabling thoughtful discourse remain.
ARMOR is the oldest US Army service journal and perhaps the second oldest continuously published publication in the United States—only National Geographic is older. Volume one, number one of the Journal of the United States Cavalry Association came off the steam press of Kecheson and Reeves in Leavenworth, Kansas in March 1888. Early editions connected cavalry officers on the frontier, who were separated from each other by at least a day’s ride. The journal linked cavalry troopers, allowing them to engage on their craft and share ideas, tips, techniques, and, of course, debate.
Dave also shares his thoughts on ARMOR’s secret sauce to dynamism and vitality:
How has ARMOR not only survived but thrived through a hundred-plus years—years dictating major changes and reorganizations to the army and the mounted force? First and foremost, ARMOR remains a meaningful, professional journal riding the strength of its armor leaders, leaders who wisely invested in and supported a critical, reflective platform that serves the mounted force.
A second critical factor to ARMOR’s longevity and success is its incredible contributors and authors. General Donn A. Starry noted this contributing factor in his essay on the magazine’s 100th birthday in 1988. “The great names of our branch have, almost without exception been contributors,” he wrote. “It has been their interest, concern, and willingness to contribute to the debate, to share their experience and knowledge with others, that have enabled our journal and our branch to survive, grow, and be the strength we are today.”
The Armor branch should be proud of ARMOR’s incredible history and their journal’s long leadership in American military thought. As ARMOR looks towards its 150th anniversary in 2038, let’s all hope that armor-related content reaches people where they are with accessible archives.
Take a look at Dave’s article over at MWI—and reach out if you’d like to write a profile of your branch magazine at submissions@hardingproject.com.