Military Engineers: An Interagency Bridge Between Hard and Soft Power

Abstract

Military engineers, including not only the tactical units but departmental civilian and contracted capacity as well, are uniquely positioned to facilitate a comprehensive and strategic approach to allow the smoothest transition from hard to soft power. Not only can they facilitate this transition, but also they can improve interagency cooperation while enabling a comprehensive approach that achieves national objectives. Throughout history, governments and nations have used the elements of national power to ensure the achievement of their specified goals. Among these elements (diplomacy, information, military, economic), military power is the element most remembered in the history books. However, in this modern age of persistent conflict a comprehensive approach that skillfully combines all the elements of national power is the best and most logical way to advance national goals. This coordinated use of all applicable elements of national power is referred to as Smart Power.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 30, 2010
Accession Number
ADA518351

Entities

People

  • Leon F. Parrott

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Department Of Defense
  • Department Of State
  • Engineers
  • Governments
  • Interagency Coordination
  • International Law
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Nongovernmental Organizations
  • Political Systems
  • United States
  • United States Africa Command
  • United States Government
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Defense Technology Research and Development.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design