U.S. Army in Bell County before Camp Hood
Long Forgotten Post Belton and CCC Camp in Bartlett are reminders of the U.S. Army's early presence in Central Texas in Bell County, Texas.
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Leadership. History. Public Memory.
Daniel K. Elder
Author. Researcher. Military Leader.
Documenting leadership, history, and the institutions that shape both. This site serves as the central platform for my research, publications, speaking programs, and current historical work focused on military leadership, Bell County, and Central Texas.
Featured Work
Current work spans military leadership, Bell County historical research, and public history projects rooted in original source analysis, preservation, and interpretive writing.
Clash at Birds Creek in Bell County, TX
1839 Republic of Texas-era Ranger clash with Plains tribes along the Little River
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Origins of the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer
This paper examines the origins, development, and institutionalization of the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer within the United States Army.
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Research-driven presentations for historical organizations, military audiences, civic groups, museums, and educational institutions.
- History of the NCO Candidate Course
- Bell County in the Civil War and Reconstruction era
- Leadership, execution, and the development of the NCO corps
Latest Writing
Long-form essays, historical interpretation, leadership writing, and publication updates.
Recent Essays
160 Years of the Belton Journal
January 24, 2026
The Bird Creek Battle of 1839: Frontier Conflict and Memory in Early Texas
February 19, 2024
No Place to Live: Black Displacement and the Fight for Homeownership in Killeen, Texas
April 5, 2026
About Daniel K. Elder
Daniel K. Elder is an author, historian, and retired senior Army leader whose work connects military leadership, public history, and institutional memory. His research focuses on Central Texas history, Bell County, and the development of the noncommissioned officer corps.
He serves as Managing Partner of TBS and continues to write, speak, and conduct historical research for public, military, and civic audiences.
Contact
Use this site to inquire about speaking engagements, research collaboration, writing, or consulting.
ContactContact information.