Challenging Policy: Confronting the Military Professional's Dilemma
Abstract
This is a study about the dilemma of the senior military professional who is faced with a decision as to whether and how to challenge national policy. These military professionals find themselves in a precarious position, being pulled by both their loyalty to their branch of service and their military ethos. The traditional military ethos encourages the military professional to remain silent and honor the authority of the President of the United States as the civilian Commander in Chief. The loyalty to service pulls the service chief to honor that essential bond of trust between military superiors and subordinates that demands that orders, which can ultimately result in the loss of human life, are issued in the light of the best possible military considerations at the time. By attempting to re-create the thought processes of three previous service chiefs who faced a decision to challenge national policy, this study establishes guidelines that will be useful both to future senior military professionals faced with the decision to challenge national policy and others trying to understand the actions of senior military leaders. The primary conclusion of this study is that, ultimately, the decision made by a senior military professional to challenge national policy is a personal choice, framed by the officer's personal vision of the role of the military professional in the American system of government. Other significant factors weighing on an officer's decision to dissent are the significance of the issue, personal relationships with key players in the Defense Department, and loyalty to the services these officers lead. In the end, it should be accepted that there are no absolute guidelines to solve the dilemma of the senior military professional facing a decision to challenge national policy. However, the dilemma is real for senior military professionals who must be prepared to resolve it; and this study sheds light on the operative considerations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA391756
Entities
People
- Andrew M. Mueller
Organizations
- Air University