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The US Military as an American Institution and US Military Organization
Lsn 5
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American Traditions Stemming from the Colonial Period
Militia and volunteer forces Fear of standing armies Supremacy of civilian authority Colonial separatism George Washington is often compared to Cincinnatus who resigned his absolute authority as dictator of Rome
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Characteristics of the American Military Experience Prior to the Civil War
Nonprofessional Based on copying Europeans Limited war Enemies mainly British and Indians King’s Mountain by Don Troiani
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Characteristics of the American Military Experience Prior to the Civil War
Coast defense and Indian Removal used as post-war remedies (defensive plans to avoid war) Militia West Point was the only real contact with professionalism Sylvanus Thayer: Father of the Military Academy
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Elements of a Profession
Initiation/apprenticeship Body of specialized knowledge Expertise Standards Self-regulation Service is in demand Profession-related publications Education system
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The Army as a Profession
In The Soldier and the State, Samuel Huntington identified three criteria for a profession and indicated that the military profession met all three of these: Expertise in the management of violence Social responsibility; Financial remuneration is not the primary aim of the professional soldier Corporateness; There are certain standards for admission to the ranks and a set of competencies that soldiers are required to exhibit
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The Army as a Profession
In The Professional Soldier, Morris Janowitz took a more sociological approach to military professionalism Argues that the military will be a reflection of the society it serves, although it will not be a carbon copy There are real limitations to the civilianization of the military, including the military training system, duty assignments, and daily living conditions that may isolate military people from civilian society Still, the military will and should reflect the dominant values of the society it serves
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Military Integration in Context
1948 Executive Order 9981 1954 Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education 1957 Little Rock Central High School desegregated 1961 James Meredith becomes first black to enroll at Ole Miss 1964 Civil Rights Act 1965 Voting Rights Act 1965 First black students enroll at Southern Miss 1967 Loving v. Virginia rules that prohibiting interracial marriage is unconstitutional 1971 Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education upholds busing Clyde Kennard, a former Army paratrooper, tried unsuccessfully to enroll at USM in 1957, 1958, and 1959
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Civilian Control In Huntington’s model, there is “objective” civilian control of the military The tenets of military professionalism themselves keep the military apart from prevailing fashions and intellectual currents in society For Janowitz, there is “subjective” civilian control of the military because some civilianization of the military occurs as it interacts with society
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Civilian Control of the Military
President serves as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive Ensures civilian control over military policy Appointment of officers Appointment of Secretary of Defense Congress provides for the common defense… Declares war Raises and supports armies Provides and maintains a Navy Controls budget Make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces 18 18 17 18
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Characteristics of American Culture which have Molded the Army
Individualism Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and peace as basic goals The desire to achieve decisive results quickly A talent for the design and use of machinery Highly developed productive capability and managerial skills Great material wealth Belief in the supremacy of civilian authority
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Characteristics of the American Soldier
Individualistic Resists discipline Wants to get home quickly
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Navy Safeguards maritime commerce Shows the flag Enables land power
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Air Force Maximizes technology “Gratification without commitment”
Sends a message, but seldom can be decisive
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Army Can achieve decisive results Provides “boots on the ground”
Represents maximum commitment Very costly (casualties, time, logistics, etc)
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Basic Army Elements Squads Platoons Companies Battalions Brigades
Regiments Divisions Corps Armies
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Platoon Structure Platoon Headquarters Squads
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Company Structure Headquarters Section Platoons Company
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Battalion Structure Battalion HHC Companies HQ Section Special Platoon
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Heavy Brigade Infantry Battalions Tank Battalions Artillery Battalion Support Battalion AD Battery MI Company HHC Chemical Platoon MP Platoon Signal Platoon Engineer Battalion
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Heavy Division Maneuver Brigades Division Artillery DISCOM Cavalry Squadron Aviation Brigade Engineer Brigade AD Battalion MI Battalion Chemical Company MP Company Signal Battalion HHC
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Echelons Above Divisions
Corps are two or more divisions Armies are two or more corps
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