Strategic Manpower Decisions in the Korean War

Before and during the Korean War, U.S. strategic manpower decisions significantly hindered the ability of UN command and the 8th Army to achieve military coercion against China and North Korea. The gradual loss of combat effectiveness within the Eighth Army occurred as a result of the rotation policy that sent experienced combat leaders home while introducing inexperienced soldiers to the front lines. This rotation system led to obvious deficiencies in tactical operations as seasoned personnel were increasingly replaced with raw recruits who lacked vital battlefield skills. Consequently, this misalignment of personnel dynamic prevented the UN forces from exerting the necessary military pressure to force negotiations at the Panmunjom talks.