The Politics of Military Reform

Abstract

The authors contend that in recent years the political power base of the military reform movement has grown significantly. In the future its influence on defense policy-making is likely to increase. The study analyzes the politics of military reform but does not judge specific reform proposals or tactics. The reform debate's participants, motivations, interests, strategies and linkages are examined. The analysis is accomplished through the use of three case studies: (1) the establishment of the Office of Operational Test and Evaluation with the Office of the Secretary of Defense; (2) the current weapon system procurement and spare parts controversy; and (3) efforts concerning Joint Chiefs of Staff reform and Department of Defense reorganization. Finally, having analyzed the dynamics of the military reform movement and the responses it has elicited, the authors propose a new strategy for Department of Defense decision- makers so they may effectively participate in the process.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1985
Accession Number
ADA158220

Entities

People

  • P. W. Chiarelli
  • R. C. Gagnon Jr.

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Congress
  • Contracts
  • Department Of Defense
  • Governments
  • House Of Representatives
  • Law
  • Military Budgets
  • Military Procurement
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Political Systems
  • Public Policy
  • Test And Evaluation
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union