Mental Reservation and Military Testimony before Congress
Abstract
American civilian-military relations appear to be approaching a boiling point. As a result, the military is increasingly turning away from its traditional role as brokers of honesty and, consequently, Congress sees the military as little more than peddlers of hope for the executive branch. This circumstance weakens the effectiveness of the civilian-military relationship, curtails the ability of Congress to perform its constitutional role of oversight, and all but eliminates the possibility of achieving a harmonious blend of ends, ways, and means to support the national strategy. The cause for this apparent mental reservation on the part of military leaders can be found in their organizational bias and environmental influences, but the solution can be found in history. It is vital for the military to understand that a currency of truth is the most important contribution it can make to the civilian-military relationship.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 23, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA480156
Entities
People
- Gordon R. Roberts
Organizations
- United States Army War College