Soldiers of the Nation: Military Service and Modern Puerto Rico, 1868–1952, by Harry Franqui-Rivera. University of Nebraska Press, 2018. ISBN: 9781496222343

Puerto Rico’s military history represents the intersection of colonial control and indigenous agency, where military service functioned both as an instrument of imperial power and a means of local empowerment. The U.S. military sought to integrate Puerto Ricans into the armed forces while reinforcing its power, yet service members used military opportunities to reshape their own identities and political landscape. This created a positive economic impact and maintained the island as a territory. Puerto Rican veterans played an important role in post-war political changes, showing how military service in a territorial environment elevates unification and opposition. This review highlights the continued impact of colonial legacies on military structures and national identity.