Pueblo village military organization centered primarily on self defense before the arrival of the nomadic tribes (in particular Navajos) and then the Spanish. In about 1500, when raiding by Navajos became a major challenge, the Pueblo villages formed a more organized, military approach to the depredations.

 

Meeting at a central location, this military response was organized by the war chiefs representing each participating village. Under the war chiefs, members of the Arrow and Eagle societies (or other similar societies) from each participating village were deployed as necessary to meet the specific defense needs of the Pueblos. The leaders of this same coalition – the forerunner of the All Indian Pueblo Council – also met Don Juan de Oñate in 1598.

 

This Pueblo coalition was the foundation of the well organized, successful Pueblo Revolt of 1680 that caused the Spanish to retreat to El Paso until 1692.  About 1715, after a period of turmoil between the Pueblos and the Spanish, the two groups banded together to defend their villages against the depredations of the nomadic tribes – Navajo, Apache, Commanche, Utes and others – who were raiding both groups for their stores of animal and agricultural food supplies. Presumably with agreement from each Pueblo village, the Spanish military authorities picked 10-15 individuals who served as Pueblo military personnel in campaigns against the Comanches and also for such ventures as relief of the Hopi Pueblos suffering from famine and nomadic raiding.

 

About 1715, after a period of turmoil between the Pueblos and the Spanish, the two groups banded together to defend their villages against the depredations of the nomadic tribes – Navajos, Apaches, Comanches, Utes and others – who were raiding both groups for their stores of animal and agricultural food supplies. Presumably with agreement from each Pueblo village, the Spanish military authorities picked 10 to 15 Pueblo individuals who served with Spanish soldiers in campaigns against the enemy tribes. They also helped in such ventures as relief of the Hopi Pueblos suffering from famine and nomadic raiding.