for nearly twenty years, soldiers of the regiment conducted normal peacetime training, but then, in 1940, they were inducted into federal service for a year of training. when war broke out with the attack on pearl harbor, the year extended into 'the duration' of world war ii. the 186th, as a part of the 41st infantry division, was one of the first american combat units to be sent overseas. the regiment served in the pacific theater, with the first year spent in further training in australia.