The RMA and the Post Goldwater-Nichols World. More Tinkering Ahead for the JCS?
Abstract
Defense organization reform is a recurrent issue Linked to tradeoffs between civilian control and military efficiency. The myth of reorganization' complicates efforts at defense reform. This myth springs from a belief in the applicability of quantification to all defense issues, leading to the idea that reorganization is the solution to all of our military problems. An opposing belief holds that inadequacies in our defense system are due to the personalities of the stake holders, and that we should concentrate our efforts on identifying the ablest leaders, rather than tinkering with organizational structures. The Revolution in Military Affairs' and the end of the Cold War have changed the nature of our national interests, calling our bipolar defense orientation into question. The evolution of the Joint Chiefs of Staff System responded to our assumption of international responsibilities and eventually superpower status in a bipolar world. The Goldwater-Nichols Act culminate the cycle of Cold War changes to our defense establishment by addressing the issues of Service parochialism. Jointness, and the Quality of Military Advice. Our national interests in the post-Cold Mar would involve new challenges that will inevitably call for adjustments in our National Defense System. More flexibility and adaptation of our planning and analysis organizations to joint and combined operations will be the prime factors in continuing efforts at defense reform.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 16, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA297985
Entities
People
- Darrell Jenks
Organizations
- Naval War College