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    "label": "Memorandum from Secretary of Defense Robert Lovett to President Harry S. Truman",
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    "title": "Memorandum from Secretary of Defense Robert Lovett to President Harry S. Truman",
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            "logicalDate": "1952-11-18",
            "month": 11,
            "year": 1952
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    "seq": 13,
    "pageIndex": 0,
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    "ocrText": "CONFIDENTIAL\n- 13 -\nOne result of this type of organization is to form\na \"service\" on the basis of a profession rather than on the basis of\nits function. In other words, let us say that civil engineers are in the\nCorps of Engineers; electrical and communication engineers in the\nSignal Corps; mechanical, industrial, hydraulic, ballastic engineers\nare in Ordnance, etc.\nA reorganization of the technical services would be\nno more painful than backing into a buzz saw, but I believe that is is\nlong overdue. I have a memorandum outlining one method of re-\norganization which looks promising. The study is recent and was com-\npleted in September 1952.\n(6) Headquarters Structure\nThe problem of the number of Headquarters in the\nfield as well as in the zone of the interior is steadily growing. It is\naggravated by the requirements imposed by the activities of the\nNorth Atlantic Treaty Organization, but it existed prior to the forma- -\ntion of that body. There are, in my opinion, far too many levels of\nheadquarters in the Military Services thus adding to the overhead and\ninevitably causing delay. Furthermore, each headquarters sets up a\nchain reaction of demands for housing, transportation, etc., thus\nadding to the cost. Special groups have been investigating this area\nfor some time in connection with the utilization of manpower and I think\nthe effort to reduce the number of headquarters must be given every\nassistance by the senior Defense officials.\nI have a similar feeling about the number of Com-\nmittees. This matter is not so much in the control of the Military De. -\npartments as Headquarters are, but the formation of Committees is\na very contagious virus which has the unpleasant characteristic of\nrapid reproduction.\n(7) Personnel\nIntensive study has been given to the problem of\npersonnel over the past two years, with particular emphasis on the\nreduction of non-combat personnel wherever it can be done without im -\npairing the combat efficiency of the troops. Our basic doctrine which\nemphasizes fire power and the self-sufficiency of our divisions so that\nthey may continue in efficient combat over long periods of time, obviously\nCONFIDENTIA"
}