The US Military Profession into the Twenty-first Century: War, Peace and Politics

by Sarkesian,Sam C

• ISBN13: 9780714644721
• ISBN10: 0714644722
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-10-31
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

The US military profession at the turn of the millennium is faced with the problem of reconciling military professional ethos and raison d'etre with the forces challenging the traditional notion of military professionalism. These new forces can be grouped into two categories: American society and the military; and the utility of military force in the changing international environment. Democratization of the military, the changing domestic landscape and questions about the meaning of American culture pose challenges to the traditional military professional relationship with US society. In addition, the new world order and the new strategic landscape, combined with technological advances and the US' role as lone superpower - world hegemon - have raised doubts about the utility of military power. That is, aside from success in battle, which other uses of US military forces are possible, without eroding its effectiveness in battle? The US military therefore faces a dilemma: how to respond to changeddomestic and strategic landscapes without diminishing its primary function. This volume examines this dilemma and proposes that the military profession adopt a policy of constructive political engagement. Although the military profession is not the only actor engaging in shaping and affecting these matters, it is the critical actor. This study looks at a number of elements ranging from the characteristics of the military profession, civilian and military cultures, civil-military relations, to conflict characteristics and US strategy, the operational parameters of military force and the revolution in military affairs. In each chapter, the focus is on the need of the military profession to have its voice heard not only within the National Command Authority and Congress, but also by the American people.

Author Biography

Robert E. Connor, Jr. is a former history instructor at the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Table of Contents

The US military profession in a changing world: war, peace, politics and the US military

The military profession

American society and the military: politics and the military - a historical introduction

Civilian and military cultures

The national security system

Civil-military relations

The new world order and the utility of military force: the new world order

US strategy and conflict characteristics

Military force and operational parameters

Force structure and doctrine - mainstream military and special operations forces

Conclusions: constructive political engagement

The president and civilian and military cultures

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