Measuring Progress Toward an Elusive Objective. A Total Army
Abstract
In the early 1970's, Chief of Staff of the Army, General Creighton Abrams outlined his vision of a Total Army consisting of three interwoven components--Active, Reserve and National Guard. Every succeeding Chief of Staff shared that vision. However, a survey of Army officers in the U.S. Army War College Class of 1993 indicates the Total Army is not yet a reality despite rhetoric to the contrary. Progress toward force integration is threatened by a communication breakdown between the Army components, between the Army and the Congress, and between the Army and the American public. When discussing itself as a Total Army, the dialogue is clouded by misunderstanding, prejudice, self- interest and unrealistic expectations. The results are animosity between the components, lost credibility for the Army, and cutthroat competition between components for dwindling resources. communication difficulties in the Army occur because Active and Reserve Component officers perceive things differently based on their membership in different cultural units. Active Army attitudes toward the Reserve and National Guard, including arrogance and intolerance, aggravate the problem. The misunderstanding and the harmful attitudes are integral to the Active Army culture. They shape the way by which Active officers view their world and communicate about it to others. They do not promote the stated Total Army policy. The 'Army' would be served better by examining its cultural assumptions, abandoning unwarranted prejudices and stereotypes, and beginning a new era of understanding and mutual support. This survey can provide the basis for the critical first steps toward improved Army communication and a true Total Army team.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 15, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA264119
Entities
People
- Michael R. Harrison
Organizations
- United States Army War College