During the post-World War II decades, the relations between the American armed forces and the society they served have been well documented. Military professionalism strengthened in all of the services, defense organizations did adapt to changing needs despite service parochialism, and the interactions between military leaders and political leaders were generally well within the scope of American traditions. Then, starting with the Vietnam War and continuing with the end of the draft, the remarkable changes in soldier demographics during the 1980's and the sudden end of the Cold War in 1989, American civil-military relations frayed and tensions abounded. The Global War on Terror erupted during this time of civil-military tension. Now, the Army is juggling two imperatives: 1) transform the Army into a more adaptable, deployable force and 2) Fight and win the Global War on Terror. Particular focus will be given to the Constitutional and sociological foundations of American civil-military relations, the salient tensions post-Cold War and post-9/11, and the evolving role of the Army profession and its commissioned leaders as they serve the Nation in the early years of the 21st Century.
Lessons
40 @ 55 min (2.500 Att/wk)
Labs
0 @ 0 min
Special requirements
Several short policy memorandums and briefings; compensatory time provided.
