The History of the Unified Command Plan, 1946-1999, covers the formulation of the plan, modifications, and periodic revisions. This volume includes three separate histories that were originally classified and an update covering the period from 1994 to 1999. The section describing the development of the Unified Command Plan between 1946 and 1977 was written by Dr. Robert J. Watson, Mr. James F. Schnabel, and Mr. Willard J. Webb and first published in declassified form in the late 1980s. The section covering the period from 1977 to 1983 was written by Dr. Ronald H. Cole and published in a classified version in 1985. The section covering 1983 through 1993, the update covering 1993-1999, and the overview were completed by Dr. Walter S. Poole. Ms. Penny Norman prepared the volume for publication. This volume was reviewed for declassification by the appropriate US government departments and agencies and cleared for release. Although the text has been declassified, some of the cited sources remain classified. This volume is an official publication of the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but the views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Chairman or of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"[Seize the high ground is a] narrative history of the Army's aerospace experience from the 1950s to the present. The focus is on ballistic missile defense, from the early NIKE-HERCULES missile program through the SAFEGUARD acquisition site allowed by the 1972 ABM Treaty to the more advanced 'Star Wars' concepts studies toward the end of the century. [What is] covered is not only the technological response to the threat but the organizational and tactical development of the commands and units responsible for the defense mission"--CMH website.

For the US Army to succeed in the 21st Century, Soldiers of all ranks must understand and use Mission Command. Mission Command empowers leaders at all levels, allowing them to synchronize all warfighting functions and information systems to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative against a range of adversaries. This collection of historical vignettes seeks to sharpen our understanding of Mission Command philosophy and practice by providing examples from the past in which Mission Command principles played a decisive role. Some vignettes show junior officers following their commander's intent and exercising disciplined initiative in very chaotic combat operations. Others recount how field grade officers built cohesive teams that relied on mutual trust to achieve key operational objectives. Each historical account is complemented by an annotated explanation of how the six Mission Command principles shaped the action. For this reason, the collection is ideal for leader development in the Army school system as well as for unit and individual professional development. Mission Command places great responsibility on our Soldiers.