Military Professionals as Policy Advisers.

William Simons

Expert InsightsPublished 1968

A discussion of the role of the military in the national security policymaking process. The military has an obligation to see that national military commitments are based on realistic evaluations. Therefore, national security policymaking activity should regularly involve military judgments, since (1) all aspects of national security relate in some way to military forces, (2) a lack of military advice could result in overcommitment or shortcomings, and (3) decisions should be realistically appraised as to available alternatives. At present, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the only regular representative of the military in the policymaking process, is a technical bureau, largely self-limited to providing narrow judgments on request. Instead, the JCS should help to formulate realistic policy objectives and, at the same time, stimulate consideration of the possible costs and risks of contemplated courses of national action. 21 pp. Refs.

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  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1968
  • Document Number: P-3856

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Simons, William, Military Professionals as Policy Advisers. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1968. https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P3856.html.
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