The Great American Divide: The Military-Civilian Gap
Abstract
The all-volunteer force of the United States military has produced a military society and culture that is becoming increasingly detached from the greater United States' society that it is sworn to protect. This military-civilian gap is a threat to the United States in that it is potentially producing a military society that deems itself morally superior to civilian society, with military leaders that are cut from the same ideological molds, which invites a group-think mentality. Conversely, the military-civilian gap also is producing a civilian population governed by civilian leaders that have an inadequate understanding of military force, its limitations, and its true costs in lives and treasure in providing for the security of the nation. Taken to its extreme, the military-civilian gap can result in a military that is contemptuous of the greater American society, and an American public that is so disconnected from the military class that it fails to value or question the employment of American military forces. This paper will discuss the military-civilian gap, its causes, issues, and dangers to the United States, and will offer solutions to address this problem.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 14, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA561132
Entities
People
- Ralph G. Higgins Iii
Organizations
- United States Army War College