How would one acquire an orc army?

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

The breeding question is one thing, but I would also wonder how those masses of Saruman's orcs were trained.

Saruman doesn't seem like a close-combat tactics sort of fellow. Did he use one or more of the "originals" he'd used to start breeding as trainers for the rest? Possibly, but then one would think the Uruk-hai, being notably larger than the Misty Mountains orcs, would have a different style of fighting. Maybe local Dunlendings helped out there.

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I think that the Prof never considered how the orcs are trained. It seems that they are just "born with a sword in hand", so to speak.

Good point, this. But as to what Inzil said, I would add: why not "close-combat tactics sort of fellow"? Sure, Saruman would not be the one to stand in front of the Uruk armies and show them how to swing a sword, he probably won't be the one to study ancient manuals on sword-fighting in the era of Númenor or whatnot, in that I agree. But still, I can imagine Saruman digging up some treatises like "Analysis of the Basic Tactics of the Third Angband Regiment - A Comprehensive Handbook" and making one of his more intelligent (human?) leaders drill the Orcs according to them. It is only a theory, though, and there surely could be many objections raised, but I'd say it's a possibility.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

I would add: why not "close-combat tactics sort of fellow"? Sure, Saruman would not be the one to stand in front of the Uruk armies and show them how to swing a sword, he probably won't be the one to study ancient manuals on sword-fighting in the era of Númenor or whatnot, in that I agree. But still, I can imagine Saruman digging up some treatises like "Analysis of the Basic Tactics of the Third Angband Regiment - A Comprehensive Handbook" and making one of his more intelligent (human?) leaders drill the Orcs according to them. It is only a theory, though, and there surely could be many objections raised, but I'd say it's a possibility.

Something like this?

I suppose Saruman might also have had occasion to watch both the men of Minas Tirith and the Rohirrim at training, so maybe that gave him some ideas as well.