A New Millennium: A New Army-Congress Relationship
Abstract
The Army's current budget is not adequate to sustain its modest force structure and prepare for the future. Its budget has been locked at a 24 percent share of the DoD budget since the end of WWII, even though the Army has shouldered the load in contingency forces and casualties. The Army's senior leadership's lack of political acumen with Congress is in large part responsible for the Army's mouse's share of the DoD budget pie. Further, an underfunded Army has troubling implications for national security interests in the chaotic post Cold War era. If the Army doesn't change its corporate approach to Congress the warfighting capability and institutional integrity of the Army will be in mortal peril. This study attempts to place the Army's relationship with Congress in a larger context, one that must be understood if the Army is to attain the capabilities it needs to win in the future. The study begins with an analysis of the Army culture and values that drives the Army today and then examines Congress' perception of the Army and the Army's perception of Congress. It concludes with recommendations on how the Army must adapt to effectively engage Congress.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 23, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA364571
Entities
People
- Lauren S. Davis
Organizations
- United States Army War College