1. Democratic Civil-Military Relations US-Japan Conference on Myanmar March 25, 2015

2. Civil-Military Relations Purpose: – An effective armed forces – Armed forces that do not threaten or oppress the people Civil-military relations are unique in each country Civil-military relations are dynamic in each country

3. Transitions to Democracy Often Take Time Spain – 1975: Death of President/General Franco – 1989: Military reform legislation passed – 2014: Accountability proposals Philippines – 1986: President Marcos departs – 1990s: Numerous military coup attempts Chile – 1988: President/General Pinochet loses plebiscite – 2004: “The Chilean Army: The End of a Vision” African colonies – 1956 – 1992: Colonial rule ended – 2013: Few stable democracies

4. Armed Forces in a Democracy Armed Forces in a democracy are competent, honest and respected defenders of the nation’s interest, loyal and responsive to the elected national government

5. Characteristics of armed forces in a democratic government 1. Established in the constitution and legal code of their nation; 2. Assigned the primary mission of external defense - domestic missions conducted under strict controls; 3. Representative of the ethnic, regional, religious and tribal makeup of their country; 4. Politically neutral; 5. Supervised by competent ministries of defense; 6. Supported by a national budget, administered without corruption – compensation fair and adequate; 7. Respected by the people and promoted based on merit.