I Could Get My Job Done If They Would Just Leave Me Alone

Abstract

Abstract : Within the military, it is a widely regarded belief that beyond the determination of the political objective, politics and the military do not mix. Recently, some senior military leaders have expressed consternation with civilian leadership involvement at what appears, to them at least, to be inappropriate levels within the military organization. They have expressed concern that this increased involvement has resulted in a less efficient and effective use of military forces in accomplishing the political objective. This fear of unwanted political has even lead to questioning of the political objective itself and the role of the military in achieving it. This point of view finds it's most vocal expression regarding military operations other than war (MOOTW). MOOTW, by their very nature, are more politically sensitive than the major theater wars on which the military has focused the majority of its training and dollars. Only reluctantly do military leaders concede their role in MOOTW, and then it is seen as out of the ordinary realm of military operations. This reluctance, and fear of unwanted interference has led to military leaders attempting to minimize political involvement and making changes in political objectives, sometimes with disastrous results.