The Military Professional as an Apolitical Advisor

Abstract : Civil-military relations is vital to the effective integration of policy and military strategy and any friction in the bond between the government and military can lead to an ineffective natio11al security policy. Civil-military relations are not currently a focus of the military's professional military education program below the rank of Colonel, and the development of professional competence in national security affairs is not part of the standard career path of today's military leader. During the current war on terrorism, our young Company Grade Officers are being forced to work with civilian counterparts and deal with frequent public testimonies from senior military Officers without any previous exposure to the military's role in the development of national security policy. Today's military must take an aggressive approach to educate its leaders on the theoretical and historical background of civil-military relations in order to prepare them for th personality-driven challenge of serving as an apolitical military advisor. Continued political involvement by military leaders will negatively impact the legitimacy and status of the military as a professional institution.