Recent Publications

Lying to Ourselves: Dishonesty in the Army Profession
February 17, 2015 — Authors: Dr Leonard Wong, Dr Stephen J GerrasView the Executive Summary Untruthfulness is surprisingly common in the U.S. military even though members of the profession are loath to admit it. Further, much of the deception and dishonesty that occurs in the profession of arms is actually encouraged and sanctioned by the military institution. The end... MORE

The Moral Corrosion within Our Military Professions
November 27, 2012 — Dr. Don M. Snider We have now had several weeks of breathless punditry on the moral failure of David Petraeus. The press and online commentariat do love a scandal, and the more so when a deserving American hero tragically falls from grace.The commentary has evolved from who (just the two of them?), to who else (well, maybe another general…), to why... MORE

Once Again, the Challenge to the U.S. Army During a Defense Reduction: To Remain a Military Profession
February 1, 2012 — Author: Dr Don M Snider As with the post-Cold War downsizing during the Clinton administration in the late 1990s, one critical challenge for the U.S. Army centers on the qualitative, institutional character of the Army after the reductions—will the U.S. Army manifest the essential characteristics and behavior of a military profession with Soldiers... MORE

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Colloquium Brief: American Society and Its Profession of Arms
May 2, 2011 — Dr. Leonard WongConference Key Insights Whether it is the military-industrial complex, veterans resuming civilian lives, ROTC in colleges, or early childhood education, American society has always been, and continues to be deeply intertwined with the military profession. In many aspects concerning U.S. society and its military profession, panelists... MORE

Dissent and Strategic Leadership of the Military Professions
February 1, 2008 — Author: Dr Don M Snider One of the central difficulties to a right understanding of American civil-military relations is the nature of the U.S. military. Are our armed forces just obedient bureaucracies like most of the Executive branch, or are they vocational professions granted significant autonomy and a unique role in these relationships because... MORE

Making Do with Less, or Coping with Upton’s Ghost
May 26, 1995 — Author: Dr Eliot A Cohen Each April the Strategic Studies Institute hosts a conference that addresses key strategic issues facing the Armed Forces and the Nation. This year's theme, "Strategy During the Lean Years: Learning from the Past and the Present," brought together scholars, serving and retired military officers, and civilian defense... MORE