Deja Vu: Can We be Ready for the Next War

Abstract

Abstract : A nation can never be truly ready for war but the military must develop doctrine which allows; acquisition of required equipment and technology, development of appropriate training programs, and consolidates service responsibilities to reduce redundancy. The American culture has historically focused on its primary concern, the rights and needs of the individual citizen. American's highest priority is the promotion of domestic economical issues to further that concern. Only when a vital national interest is threatened will this focus shift, albeit temporarily, away from this domestic issue. The United States has proven time and again that it can not be ready for major military conflicts, they need a swift kick in the pants to get them going. As always, there are situations not vital to our national interest that beckon for national attention, often from a moral perspective. Today, military forces are often utilized in these situations, regardless of suitability to conduct such operations, because they exist and, in the eyes of some, have nothing better to do. Aspects of readiness, such as morale and training become secondary to the national need to answer these calls to duty. Elements of American culture, procurement practices, doctrine and military strategy are key to the understanding of this topic.