Military Participation in National Security Policy Making: The Commitment of Combat Forces in Vietnam

Abstract

This study examines the role of senior military leaders in the national security policy decisions that led to the commitment of US forces to combat in Vietnam in 1965. It provides an outline of the events leading up to those decisions, including descriptions of the key policy makers in the Johnson administration. Concluding that the military played a limited role in those decisions, the study gives reasons for the military leaders' exclusion from the policy process. Opposition from within the military to the commitment of US forces is also examined. The study ends by seeking implications for the future from the lessons of the Vietnam decisions. A more active role for military leaders and legislative changes are recommended.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA217555

Entities

People

  • Ronald N. Jackson

Organizations

  • Air War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Force
  • Combat Forces
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Law
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • New York
  • North Vietnam
  • Personnel Management
  • Second World War
  • South Vietnam
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • Vietnam War
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Defense Technology Research and Development.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.