Posted on Jan 26, 2015

Civilian-Military Gap Getting Wider? Does it matter?

816

There's been a lot of discussion on the impact of civilian and military cultures not understanding one another - and what happens when the public doesn't trust the military (Congress starts talking about things like taking punishment for sexual harassment and assault out of military leaders' hands).

Two articles here talking about the widening gap and the dangers it presents for America. They make a number of very similar points. One was published in January 2015. The other was published in July 1997. Are things really getting worse? Does it matter?

1. http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/12/the-tragedy-of-the-american-military/383516/
2. http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1997/07/the-widening-gap-between-military-and-society/306158/

Posted 10 y ago

This is a duplicate discussion and the contents have been merged with the original discussion. Click below to see more on this topic...

Is there a tragedy in our modern military (or wars?)

This article by James Fallows in the Atlantic takes a long time to read, but is worth the time when you have it available.

I take issue with a few specific points he makes, but the overall argument is thought provoking and worth considering. Which of his points are well made? Which are ill-founded?

http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/12/the-tragedy-of-the-american-military/383516/

Civilian-Military Gap Getting Wider? Does it matter?

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.