The American Military Tradition and Operations in the Immediate Post-Cold Period (1989–2001)

Abstract

In two centuries, the United States has experienced long periods with no major threat to its security, periods in which the armed forces conducted large numbers of small, diverse operations. Overall the American military tradition has evolved as a duality that reflects this experience. On one side has been defense against foreign enemies and preparation for such employment. This mission is widely considered to be the raison d'õtre of the armed forces. Procurement programs, training, doctrine, and organization focus on this mission, and in the year 2000, this view extended beyond the military to senior officials of both major political parties. The other side has involved law enforcement, disaster relief, and nation-building. This category, sometimes called gendarmerie or constabulary work, also includes what were once called pacification and ’small wars,’ and later called counterinsurgency.

David A. Armstrong, John M. Gates, Perry D. Jamieson, Gordon L. Olson, Hans S. Pawlish, Stephen L. Rearden, Irene L.suhubert, Michael L. Tate, and Gregory G. Wilmoth all read and criticized various versions of this paper and offered helpful suggestions. They should be held blameless for the contents and interpretaions herein

David A. Armstrong, John M. Gates, Perry D. Jamieson, Gordon L. Olson, Hans S. Pawlish, Stephen L. Rearden, Irene L.suhubert, Michael L. Tate, and Gregory G. Wilmoth all read and criticized various versions of this paper and offered helpful suggestions. They should be held blameless for the contents and interpretaions herein

Notes

David A. Armstrong, John M. Gates, Perry D. Jamieson, Gordon L. Olson, Hans S. Pawlish, Stephen L. Rearden, Irene L.suhubert, Michael L. Tate, and Gregory G. Wilmoth all read and criticized various versions of this paper and offered helpful suggestions. They should be held blameless for the contents and interpretaions herein