The Complexity of Civil-Military Relations - In the Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous World.

Abstract : This paper will examine changes in the military, society, and international security environment as they pertain to civil-military cooperation and understanding. The intent is to make recommendations to military leaders on how to increase cooperation and understanding between our elected officials and the military. The United States is at a crossroads where it must begin to take steps toward reducing the gap between government officials and its society. Former Secretary of Defense, McNamara believed that civilians, not military services, should link policy with military strategy and even force structure. In today's world and under the resource constraints the military is now experiencing this is true. The issue is: how do we articulate national and military strategy that will be supported by Congress? This paper is an attempt at how to look at the current issues and develop some recommendations on how to bring civilian and military leaders together.