Abstract This paper explores the growing cocaine and marijuana market in Latin American countries and the lack of local resources available to prevent this valuable and profitable industry from expanding even more. The writer of this paper details the U.S. military's role in aiding these countries, as well as the cost to the American people, while pondering if the American military should even be involved in drug related issues outside the U.S. The cost for the military intervention in the war on drugs continues to rise and has created entirely new perceptions about money and the military both within and outside the U.S. This paper discusses the military involvement in the war on drugs and cites the leading recipients of aid, military equipment, training and personnel. This paper also delves into a program, involving military participation, which was recently introduced in Congress, called the Western Hemisphere Drug Elimination Act. This act would authorized $2.3 billion over three years for military hardware, personnel, training and a small amount for alternative crop development in various Latin American countries.
From the Paper "Even though the House and various representatives have called on military action, the Pentagon was reluctant- albeit, it finally was dragged into it. Even though the Pentagon budget continues to grow, year after year, there are still concerns that legislators who dole out the tens of millions of dollars are underestimating the total cost. In a recent report to the House and Senate armed services committees, the Department of Defense estimated that "24-hour surveillance of the U.S. 'southern fence', the border from Jacksonville, Florida, to San Diego, full interdiction capability, and C13 programs, would cost between $480.4 million and $760.5 million annually, depending on the equipment mix ." All this money without a single soldier leaving the continental U.S.- even though advisers may now be operating in the various targeted Latin American countries. All that has been publicized, and strongly so, are planes and equipment, everything from helicopters to flame throwers which are supposed to be used by the local troops."
Abstract The Bush Administration strongly believes that the events of September 11th have created conditions under which a Military Order calling for military courts - essentially military tribunals - is justified. The predominate reason given is that the military tribunal will provide an atmosphere in which individuals who are terrorists or who are affiliated with terrorists can be brought to justice. This paper examines the nature of a military tribunal through ethical arguments
This paper examines the available research regarding the impact to soldiers of extended military deployments which include: Divorce, mental illness, substance abuse and domestic problems.
Abstract The writer of this paper details the current research which proves that longer tours of duty in the military carry with them many negative effects. Higher rates of mental illness, divorce, substance abuse and more difficult and lengthy family problems can result from extended military deployments. The writer explores the short and long term problems associated that affect the soldier, the soldier's family, the military in general and even the economy. This paper also examines the effects of the 'stop loss' program, which went into effect in 2002 and entails keeping soldiers on active duty and redeployed even beyond their anticipated discharge from the service. From the ability of the military to recruit new soldiers to the morale of the individuals, longer deployments continue to cause problems in the military services.
One major area of concern relating to longer deployments, detailed in this paper, is that of the mental health impact on the soldiers.
From the Paper "Along with the mental issues related to longer deployment, family problems also increase as deployment length increases. Studies following the Afghanistan conflict and the Iraq war showed that divorce rates among families with deployed military members increased as much as 37 to 56 percent. These high rates often come from the added stress of unknown lengths of tours. A study conducted by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and the U.S. Army Research Institute showed the "key impact on family appeared to be the length of the tour." Sixty eight percent of respondents noted that a year of active service overseas was worrisome, and would cause family difficulties. Additionally, spouses of those deployed noted that their soldiers had recently completed a lengthy deployment and were redeployed, expanding the total separation up to 24 months or more."
Abstract This paper explores the lack of enforcement of proper moral and ethical behavior in the U.S. military. This well-researched paper details various landmark military cases, including the racially biased case involving Jackie Robinson and the Tuskegee Airmen, as well as the Tailhook scandal, in which an active duty lesbian officer was dismissed due to her sexual preference. This paper examines the official "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding homosexuality in the military. The writer of this paper compares the moral and ethical make-up of the military in the 1950s to the present, while stressing that racism, homophobia and sexual misconduct still exists.
From the Paper "Because of the election coming on and Wendell Wilkie cutting into the usually Democratic Negro vote, President Roosevelt gave the approval for a Negro air force squadron to be formed and trained at Tuskegee airfield. The story has it that Eleanor Roosevelt stopped by to visit, and told a pilot that she heard Negro men could not fly planes. When one pilot promised to show her, she allegedly got into the plane and took off with the black pilot. All through their training, they were apart from white pilots They were at separate airfields so there would be no "mingling". As the war lengthened and the need for pilots increased, more and more black cadets were brought to Tuskegee. But, they continued to be segregated. And they were segregated when they flew their missions in Italy."
Abstract This paper suggests ways in which military spending is affected by the economy and ways in which military spending affects the economy. The author notes that the military, just as business, needs to seek a proper balance between income and expenditures. The paper relates that the majority of military expenditures go for personnel and equipment.
From the Paper "The economics of the military on one level is the same as for any business, with a need for a proper balance between income and expenditures, with the latter going largely for personnel and equipment. One difference is that the military can always ask for increased funding and will usually get it from Congress, while a business can only increase sales, get a loan, or improve the bottom line by reducing expenditures. Both are also affected by macroeconomic forces largely out of their control, but the effect on the military is not always in keeping with the strict rise and fall of the macro-economy. Changes in the macro-economy can affect military spending in the same way they affect other forms of public spending, by adding to or reducing the revenue collected through taxes and so adding to or reducing the amount of money to be spent."
Abstract The paper examines the role of Japan's military on the world stage. The paper relates that historically, Japan's military has served an imperialistic world internationally, however, today there are other countries in Asia whose economic and military might is equal that of Japan's. The paper shows how for this reason, Japan's approach and use of the military has to be more diplomatic.
From the Paper "In the twentieth century, Japan's military role was pretty much defined by expansionism and imperialism. From the first Sino-Japanese War of the late nineteenth century to the end of the World War II, Japan was a major military power in the world. After the defeat of Japan in 1945 and the end of the War, Japan spent a great deal of time redeveloping the country and defining its role on the international scene. During this period, Japan expanded its economic influence in foreign markets, as the United States became the primary trading partner."
Abstract The book that Binnendijk edits, Transforming America's Military, is his latest publication, having been released in 2002. This significant assessment of America's military seeks to pose the state of change that exists in the U. S. military, a state of change brought on by rapid technological advancements.
This paper reviews "Banishing Bureaucracy" by David Osborne and Peter Plastrik which focuses on the importance of cultural change as one of the five strategic components needed in making various bureaucracies and military organizations more efficient.
741 words (approx. 3 pages), 0 sources, 2006, $ 26.95
Abstract This paper focuses on the opinions of authors David Osborne and Peter Plastrik who both contend that it's imperative to change the existing culture of a bureaucratic or military organization in order to make it more efficient and systematic. In Osborne and Plastrik's book "Banishing Bureaucracy," the authors stress the need to replace old habits with new commitments in order to improve both productivity and output in any bureaucratic organization. The authors detail the manner in which these changes are to be implemented in order to achieve maximum success. Two examples of cultural change detailed in this paper include that of dress requirements in the military, followed closely by protocols of behavior. The underlying values of loyalty, faithfulness and unselfishness to the point of self-sacrifice are intangible aspects of the military's culture that have a very pervasive influence on the environment of the organization.
From the Paper "It is important to analyze an organization's culture when attempting to make any changes in the organization in order for the changes to be successful. This is especially true if the focus is being changed to be in line with an entrepreneurial organization that is customer driven. Core parts of the culture would need to be manifested in the new organization. Secondary components of the culture must then be changed in order to match with the changing organization. You cannot change an organization in opposition to its culture. Either components must be carried over and incorporated appropriately into the new organization or else the culture must change. For instance, the power structure of the military is an integral part of its hierarchy and success."
Abstract This paper discusses the evolution of U.S. military satellite communications, the improvements made upon each new program and the impact on today's military. It looks at the requirements of today's military force and the main objectives of the satellite communications program.
From the Paper "For today's modern warfighter the ability to communicate effectively is the key to success on the battlefield. U S soldiers must operate covertly in unfamiliar and hostile territory and they must know where their allies are, where their enemies are and what each is doing. Today's military must be lighter, more mobile and more lethal and the improvements made in military satellite communications ..."
Tags: milsatcom, satellites, communication, military, command control
Abstract The paper discusses how developments in Information Technology (IT) were a direct outgrowth of military research. The paper explains that the military needed greater computer processing capacity and smaller computer modules. This fuelled innovations in computer programming and semi-conductors. The paper explains how due to its heavy investment in computer-based Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for military use, the United States is a world leader in computer technology in both software and integrated circuits. The paper shows how it dominates the market for this sector and its further developments.
Abstract The writer proposes that the contributions made by military nurses can not be overestimated. The paper explains that these contributions did not end on the front line, and continues even in the civilian nursing community. This paper discusses the impact of military nursing during the twentieth century, examining contributions made during World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict and the Vietnam War, the paper also touches on military nursing in the first Gulf War.
Abstract This paper analyzes the view of constructivism on the military and strategic trends in the world today. It is structured around Christian Reus-Smit's proposition, that state military behaviors are characterized by its normative structures, identity and the mutually constitutive relationship between agents and structures.
From the Paper "For roughly the last two decades, the studies of international relations have evolved around two great debates. One is between neorealism and neoliberalism, the successors of the longer debate between realism and liberalism. Both make up the rationalist theories, believing that states are still the most important actor that seeks to maximise their gains, and ignoring moral questions. By focusing on actors that are seen to interact with each other carrying a fixed set of preferences, rationalist theories have engaged in a narrow debate."
Abstract This paper is an essay on the ethics of military personnel during WWII as illustrated in four books on the topic. It examines the questionable ethical acts of military personnel, ethical theories of war and just war theory.
From the Paper "Ethical theories of war primarily stem from the Christian tradition and writings of St Augustine. Known as just-war theory the doctrine attempts to answer two questions. When war is justified ..."
Tags: death, ethics, killing, weapons, morals, values, behavior, war, military conflict
Abstract This paper explains why it is essential that members of the armed forces obey the orders of superior officers. It addresses the hierarchical nature of the military. The writer discusses the national command authority and looks at the chain of command. The writer examines the need for good order within the military. This article also discusses the duty to disobey unlawful orders and the concept of war crimes.
From the Paper "The U.S. military is a hierarchy. Constitutionally, the ultimate authority and responsibility for the national defense rests with the President of the United States and the Commander in Chief of the nation's armed forces. The President uses the Secretary of Defense as his principal assistant in all matters relating to the military and national defense. The Secretary of Defense has statutory authority and control over all branches of America's armed services. The Secretary is responsible for the effective and efficient operation of the U.S. military. "
Tags: U.s. Military, hierarchy, chain of command, commander in chief, secretary of defense, superior officer, lawful command, UCMJ, court martial, war crime
Abstract In this discussion, the writer looks at justifications for international military interventions and rationale's for intervention. The writer examines the regional and geopolitical history of Iraq and Sudan in this regard. The writer also discusses human rights violations. This article looks at relevant literature and discussions and compares the intervention into Iraq with a possible military invention into Sudan.
From the Paper "This paper explores the literature and arguments surrounding the U.S. led intervention into Iraq, with justifications offered for an international intervention into Darfur Sudan today. The question posed is whether the conditions in Iraq leading up to U.S. intervention are comparable to those in Darfur currently and therefore whether they require similar armed military intervention. The paper concludes that the situations are dissimilar and only the conditions in Darfur mandate and authorize intervention. To answer the question the paper looks at the ... "
Tags: iraq, darfur, military intervention, genocide
