Field Historians
The Center of Military History's Field Historian Program ensures that military history meets the needs of the Army and nation. The Army Historical Program preserves, interprets, disseminates, and teaches military history; provides historical advice to decision makers and their staffs; and stimulates historical mindedness within the Army and throughout the nation. Field historian operations include command historians at all levels of command, unit historians and Military History Detachments.
The Center of Military History's Field Historian Program ensures that military history meets the needs of the Army and nation. The Army Historical Program preserves, interprets, disseminates, and teaches military history; provides historical advice to decision makers and their staffs; and stimulates historical mindedness within the Army and throughout the nation. Field historian operations include command historians at all levels of command, unit historians and Military History Detachments.
Command Historians
The command historian or unit historian advises the commander on historical matters relating to the command; documents the command’s history; provides historical perspective to the commander and staff during planning and execution of operations; assists with professional development and training of officers and Soldiers; and supports the Army Historical Program through the collection of historical documents and artifacts.
Unit Historical Officers (UHOs)
UHOs are military officers or non-commissioned officers assigned at brigade and battalion level commands, in an additional duty capacity, to collect historical documents and media, maintain the unit's historical research collection, ensure the unit's lineage and honors are kept current ( as applicable) , and most importantly, write and submit the units annual command history report to their higher headquarters for o consolidation and ultimate reporting to the U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Effective immediately, all Unit Historical Officers should register for the Unit Historical Officer Fundamentals Distance Learning Course to receive the baseline training required to fulfill their assigned duties. The course is available on demand in Blackboard (ELLC domain) . UHOs must first establish an account in Blackboard ELLC and then they can select the following Course ID or Course Name from the course catalog Course ID: 912_CMHUHOFDLC_2023_001_00_N , Course Name: Unit Historical Officer Fundamentals Distance Learning. Once selected, the UHO can request enrollment in the course in Blackboard ELLC.
When registering for the course, UHOs should also send a copy of their additional duty appointment orders, signed by their brigade or battalion commander ( as applicable), to the following e-mail address: usarmy.mcnair.cmh.mbx.unit-historical-officer---cmh-coordination@army.mil
Additionally, send all questions regarding the course to the following e-mail address: usarmy.mcnair.cmh.mbx.unit-historical-officer---cmh-coordination@army.mil
Military History Detachments
MHDs carry out directed collection of historical material during combat and contingency operations for later use in writing the official history. They are trained and equipped to gather historical documents and materials, conduct oral interviews, photograph actions and events, and advise supported units on planning and conducting historical operations. The MHD collects historical documents and materials and conducts oral history interviews throughout the Army.
Upcoming MHD Courses
| Course # |
Location |
Date |
| 921-9E-F68/920-F58 25-002 |
Fort Knox, KY |
2-7 February 2025 |
| 921-9E-F68/920-F58 25-003 |
Fort Knox, KY |
13-18 April 2025 |
| 921-9E-F68/920-F58 25-004 |
Fort Belvoir, VA |
08-13 June 2025 |
POC for enrollment:
MAJ Russle Steward
USARC Command History Office
russle.c.steward.mil@army.mil
A 625 Field / Unit Historian Distance Learning Course (ASI 5X)
Officers holding the ASI 5X are qualified to supervise unit-level historians from battalion to division level or to serve as unit historians themselves.
Read more here...
Contact Us
U.S. Army Reserve Point of Contact
Mr. Christopher J. Ghiz
USARC Command Historian,
Office of Army Reserve History, USARC, HQ
4710 Knox Street
Fort Bragg, NC 28310
christopher.j.ghiz.civ@army.mil
U.S. Army Reserve, National Guard & IMA Field Historian Point of Contact
COL Jeffrey R. McGeary
Chief, Military Programs
U.S. Army Center of Military History
Fort McNair, DC 20319-5058
usarmy.mcnair.cmh.mbx.military-programs@army.mil
Field Historian Resources and Repositories
Field Historian Teams Site
The Field Historian Microsoft Teams site provides Army Field Historians with access to up to date examples, templates, doctrine, and course content relating to conducting Army field history operations.
Common Access Card (CAC) holders should request access to the Army Field Historian Teams Site by sending a request to CMH’s Field and Military Programs Division at:
TR-CMH-FP-Military-Programs@army.mil
Please include your current position title with your request.
Submit Unclassified Records
Common Access Card (CAC) holders should coordinate with CMH to submit unclassified records via an approved File Transfer Program. Please email CMH’s Field and Military Programs Division at the following email to arrange for submission:
TR-CMH-FP-Military-Programs@army.mil
Submit Classified Records
The Army Historical Resources Online (AHRO-C) classified database is accessible on the SIPR network. Please find information about requesting access and uploading material to AHRO-C here:
Army Historical Resources Online (AHRO-C) Fact Sheet and FAQ [PDF file]