The relationship between the nation and its all-volunteer force has senior political and military leaders concerned. Culturally, has our all-volunteer force grown away from the larger U.S. society? Such a separation poses grave dangers for the long-term health of U.S. forces and of the nation. This strategic research project (SRP) examines two distinct but related divides between the nation's military and the civilian society. Specifically, it addresses the chasm between the junior ranks of the military and the broad society, and concurrently addresses the civil-military disconnect between senior officers and the political class. It reviews the current narrative and analyzes the beliefs, values, and demographics which contribute to these divides, then speculates on the root causes of these disconnects and concludes by suggesting that military leaders and political elites share a responsibility to narrow these gaps for the sake of the nation and the health of its fighting force.
The relationship between the nation and its all-volunteer force has senior political and military leaders concerned. Culturally, has our all-volunteer force grown away from the larger U.S. society? Such a separation poses grave dangers for the long-term health of U.S. forces and of the nation. This strategic research project (SRP) examines two distinct but related divides between the nation's military and the civilian society. Specifically, it addresses the chasm between the junior ranks of the military and the broad society, and concurrently addresses the civil-military disconnect between senior officers and the political class. It reviews the current narrative and analyzes the beliefs, values, and demographics which contribute to these divides, then speculates on the root causes of these disconnects and concludes by suggesting that military leaders and political elites share a responsibility to narrow these gaps for the sake of the nation and the health of its fighting force.
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