Etat-Major

Personnel of a special corps of officers charged with direction of the details of military administration of an army, army corps, division, brigade, or particular arm of the service. Jomini says that a good Etat-major is more durable than the genius of a single man; it preserves the traditions and is the best safeguard of an army. It is to an army what a skillful minister is to the State. It seconds the chief, and foresees and prevents mistakes when he is unskillful. In European armies the Etat-major or staff is particularly attended to; a staff school supplying the theoretical instruction, and service for a period of years in the army the practical, before selection is made for transfer to the Etat-major. The German staff gained an enviable reputation for its efficient services in the war of 1870.