Potential Impacts of a Politicized U.S. Officer Corps
Abstract
This paper will investigate the increasing trend of Army Officers to identify themselves with a particular political party, its impact on the military as a trusted institution and its potential to negatively affect the decision-making process concerning our national security. I will examine this issue by first looking at the history of civil military relations in the United States as described in Professor Samuel P. Huntington's classic work The Soldier and the State. Next, I will look at the role of General Maxwell D. Taylor in the early stages of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and how his politicization may have muffled the national security policy debate. Next, I will discuss in detail General 001 in Powell's development as an officer, examine his service as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff and address critics of the Powell Doctrine and his politicization during the 1992 Presidential Campaign. Finally, I will wrap up the paper by discussing the possible effect the association of the U.S. Officer Corps with a particular political party might have on the creditability of the Officer Corps in making, and the civilian leadership accepting, solid recommendations on national policy to future Presidents.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 10, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA389074
Entities
People
- John P. Gardner
Organizations
- United States Army War College