06/30/2025
Understanding the Role of a Military Historian
A military historian is someone who researches, writes about, and interprets the history of armed conflict. These historians study wars, soldiers, commanders, and the development of military forces to better understand how conflict shapes the world. They explore military strategy, examine key battles, and document the stories of those who served.
From the Civil War to World War II and beyond, military historians investigate how wars begin, how they’re fought, and what happens when they end. Their work may offer insights into both warfare and the political and cultural forces that influence it.
Military historians study both the U.S. and other nations’ armed forces. They work to make sure that the events of the past are recorded and analyzed in ways that future generations can understand. In this sense, military history is essential to preserving a nation's memory and guiding decisions in the present.
What Do Military Historians Do?
The work of a military historian involves extensive research, writing, and analysis. Some historians focus on major events like the world wars, while others concentrate on specific units, regions, or time periods. They use military documents, personal letters, oral histories, training materials, and even battlefield artifacts to understand how wars were fought and experienced.
Military historians may:
- Teach military history courses in universities or academies
- Write books or articles for academic journals or general audiences
- Contribute to museum exhibits and public history projects
- Maintain historical records within the military
- Advise military leaders by providing historical context
For example, military historians working in the U.S. Army may serve as command historians, offering guidance during planning and operations. Others join Military History Detachments—Army units trained to collect documents, media, and other materials directly from combat zones. These materials are later used to write official histories and support future training.
Military History Detachments and Their Role in Military Historian Work
Military History Detachments (MHDs) play a vital role in documenting military actions in real time. These detachments are small teams of historians and researchers who deploy with combat forces to gather firsthand accounts, photographs, and documents.
MHDs were particularly important during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, just as they were during World War II and the Vietnam War. Their work helps ensure that records of battle are accurate and detailed. Without MHDs, much of what happens during wartime—especially at the unit level—could be lost or misremembered.
By preserving documents and recording interviews with soldiers and officers, military history detachments provide the raw materials needed for historians to write accurate accounts of military events. These efforts help preserve not only battlefield strategy but also the human side of war.
How to Become a Military Historian
Becoming a military historian typically involves advanced education and training. Most historians hold at least a bachelor's degree in history or military studies, while many pursue graduate-level education to specialize in military history.
Historians working directly for the military often undergo specific training to support their role in the field. This includes learning to identify and preserve historical materials, conduct interviews with service members, and use archives effectively. Civilian historians may work for military museums, government research institutions, or historical societies.
Why Military History Matters
Military history provides context for national identity, foreign policy, and leadership. By studying how past wars unfolded, historians can better understand modern military strategy and global politics. Military history also gives voice to those who served—the soldiers whose experiences might otherwise be forgotten.
Understanding events such as the Civil War or World War II helps explain why certain alliances formed, how political power shifted, and what lessons were (or were not) learned. These insights are valuable for both military professionals and civilians.
In the broader field of history, military history intersects with political, economic, and social themes. It examines how nations prepare for war, how they train their forces, and how they cope with the consequences of combat. This makes it a powerful area of study for those interested in leadership, national security, or historical scholarship.
Where Do Military Historians Work?
Military historians are employed in a variety of professional settings, including:
- Government agencies such as the Department of Defense or the National Archives
- Educational institutions, teaching military history courses at the undergraduate or graduate level
- Museums dedicated to military service, such as war memorials or regimental museums
- Media and publishing, including writing articles, editing history-focused publications, or contributing to Wikipedia and historical websites
- Military organizations, as part of official history offices or in training development roles
Some historians also consult on film, television, or video game projects to provide historical accuracy live on air. They may advise scriptwriters on the correct uniforms, battlefield tactics, or terminology to use in media projects.
What Makes a Good Military Historian?
A good military historian is curious, thorough, and committed to understanding the truth behind military events. Strong research and writing skills are essential. Historians must know how to analyze primary sources and use them to support complex arguments.
They must also be able to interpret battlefield decisions and explain their significance. If examining a large-scale battle like D-Day or a small skirmish in the Civil War, the goal is to understand both the facts and the broader meaning.
Military historians also need strong communication skills. No matter if they're presenting to a classroom, contributing to a military training course, or writing for a public audience, they must explain complex ideas clearly and concisely.
Military Historians: Serving the Nation Through Historical Record
Military historians often contribute to preserving historical records and supporting understanding of past conflicts. Through their research, writing, and analysis, they aim to document and preserve the experiences of service members. They may offer historical context that can help frame current discussions or decisions.
From the battlefield to the classroom, and from archived letters to modern training manuals, military historians contribute to understanding the relationship between historical events and contemporary military contexts.
Studying military history may appeal to those interested in warfare, leadership, or historical research. If someone is interested in teaching, conducting research, contributing to military education, or curating content for museums and public history sites, the skills developed through focused historical training, such as analytical thinking, source evaluation, and effective writing, can be valuable in a variety of professional contexts.
While no degree guarantees a specific path, studying military history may provide a framework for examining the stories, strategies, and events that have shaped the modern world. For those with a strong interest in understanding the military’s role across time, it may serve as a foundation for continued academic exploration or professional development in fields such as education, government, or research.