The Nature of Military Advice and Its Role in Formulation of National Security Policy, 1945-1973.

摘要

The study assesses the historical associations between top military leaders and a succession of United States Presidents, focusing specifically on the decisions regarding threat assessment, strategy, and force structure. Each Administration has created a different position for its military advisors in the policy-making function, each seeking an undefined, 'appropriate' role for the military in the formulation of national security policy. Beginning with a concept of the military professional, the study traces the historical background of professional military advice, defines the complexities inherent in its formulation, and draws conclusions relating to expectations versus performance since 1945. Essentially, the study surveys the period 1945-1973 but draws selectively on historical relationships prior to World War II. (Author)