mprove practical objects or methods (Alger 7). Technology enables mass communication, expansion of the economy, and increases the options for military action. Superior technology increases the chance of success in military engagements (Alger 7). This influences the political climate in which decisions regarding the military are made.
With the external factors affecting the military complex understood, the internal factors can be examined. The strategy of the military is given by the reigning political organization. In the United States, this would be determined by the President and his advisors or if an international objective by the heads of state and their advisors (Alger 3). It is the national or international political goal of waging war.
Military professionalism is the basis on which our current
volunteer military stands. Military careers are considered to be legitimate professions in time of peace and during war. Military professionalism assumes that members of the military will consider themselves to be professionals. They understand that the military consists of specially trained and disciplined personnel with a specific job who are engaged in public service. The attitude is the determining factor in military professionalism (Alger 2).
The members of the military practice and study military theory and doctrine. This is the knowledge which has been accepted by military officials and experts and is taught to recruits to enable them to function to the highest degree during warfare. It is the study and practice of this knowledge which defines military professionalism. Military doctrine is found in the military manuals, regulations, circulars, and handbooks (Alger 5).
Tactics of the military are the methods of gaining an objective. They are the planning, training, and the control of ordered formations used by the military in engaging or preparing to engage rival forces (Alger 2). Tactical plans a...