Goldwater-Nichols Almost Got It Right: A Fifth Star for the Chairman.
Abstract
This thesis recommends an amendment to the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1956 (GNA) to confer operational and administrative command authority on the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), designate his position as the Commander of the Armed Forces, and assign the grade of five stars to the new position. Since 1947, a continuing objective of the presidency and Congress has been to improve military effectiveness and efficiencies through a simplified chain of command and a more unified armed force. The GNA enhanced the CJCS's role and functions as a means to achieve these objectives, however it did not confer any additional authority on the CJCS. A review of military and organizational theory provides substantive rationale which supports the proposed amendment. Additionally, an assessment of the CJCS's role and functions in relationship to his existing authority indicates increasing his authority would enhance unification efforts and improve the military chain of command. The effect of the amendment would be a more effective and efficient united armed force capable of responding to changes in global and domestic threats and priorities and supported by a more effective chain of command.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA328220
Entities
People
- Robert C. Owsley
Organizations
- Naval War College