Transformation in the US Military - Essay Example

?Running head: Transformation in the US military Transformation in the US Military Transformation of US military Introduction Since the 9/11 attacks, the US military has taken an active part in the political and global military activities for the US and for the international community. Inasmuch as it is considered one of the most powerful and advanced military units in the world, its vulnerabilities have been manifest in recent years. With the trends in globalization taking the spotlight, the need to introduce changes and to transform the military has been a growing concern. Efforts to transform the military have been seen in the past years and these efforts have had various effects in the way that the US military has implemented these changes. This paper shall now consider two of these efforts to transform the US military. One of these efforts is the effort to improve diversity and multiculturalism in the military. Another effort is on improvements in the coordination and cooperation with other countries in terms of military operations and issues of unrest. This analysis will compare and contrast these efforts and will identify two or three key factors that led to the perceived or actual need to transform, two of three key policies enacted to effect desired transformation, and the leading forces that shaped policies pursued in order to achieve the transformation. Discussion Efforts to increase diversity and multiculturalism in the US military have been implemented by the government. At the beginning of the twentieth century, when conflicts between the Catholics and Protestants became apparent and other issues involving immigrants reached their peak, the military placed integrated training for soldiers from various ethnic and religious backgrounds (Canaday, 2001). In the First World War, Native Americas served in integrated units, and except for Navajo Code Talkers, separate messages involving enemy troop movements were sent in the Navajo language (Canaday, 2001). These Native Americans served in the military at a time when there was serious social discrimination against them. The African-Americans also have gone through major issues in discrimination since their entry into American society. African-Americans served in segregated groups before and during WWII because officials believed them to be unintelligent. This segregation created different issues, including racial confrontations within the military between 1942 and 1945 (Canaday, 2001). Despite passage of policies against segregation after WWII, this practice was still seen during the Korean War; however gradual integration was seen towards the end of the Korean War. Through this practice, the US army saw that combat effectiveness became more effective when racial integration was applied. The Secretary of War in 1963 set forth command responsibility for civil rights issues and in order to address racial tension, the military conceptualized the Defense Race Relations Institute (Canaday, 2001). This institute performed educational, training, and research functions. This institute was renamed Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute and it broadened the readiness of military readiness in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, and religion (Canaday, 2001). Colin Powell’s rise as the premier first African-American Secretary of State and his rise to his current status is a testament to effective solid efforts towards diversity within the military. A major factor affecting transformation of the US military in terms of diversity is the fact that the US military has made an effort towards integrating racial, ethnic, religious, and national groups into the military practice (Canaday, 2001). Many leaders recognized the fact that with more contact between whites and blacks, the better it was for racial integration. Moreover, the military has “a bureaucratic ethos and formality…that mitigated tensions arising from individual or personal feelings” (Canaday, 2001). The military was also able to hold the commanders responsible for equal opportunity and the ability to deal with people of diverse ethnicities in performance evaluations; with these applications, more viable military organizations have been apparent. Different factors have impacted on the need to collaborate efforts in the military. One factor is the fact that the operational environment being faced by the military is very much uncertain. The unstable world and the move towards a globally engaged response in facing this instability has also called in US military forces to carry out complex military operations (McKearney, 2000, p. 2). These operations have been implemented to a decreasing force which has also often been undermanned in responding to multiple and unexpected crises. Moreover, the increased pace of information technology has provided the better possibility of providing large amounts of data under real-time conditions (McKearney, 2000, p. 2). With the current trends in global terrorism, the US military has considered efforts towards making homeland security a global mission as well. Various experts have considered the fact that securing borders is an effective way of reducing terrorism. The control of borders is an effort which needs to be conceptualized by working with friends and allies (Carafano and Weitz, 2007). In the traditional sense, the idea and process of collaboration has fallen on the hands of the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and the CIA. However, formal instruments have been missing in the implementation of international cooperation. The need to secure higher funding from the Congress has been considered as a means of carrying out these collaboration plans. Efforts towards collaboration have been focused on improving trade and capacities with the troubled areas in Africa, Middle East, and Southeast Asia (Carafano and Weitz, 2007). These areas have always been major sources of international unrest and of terrorist groups and collaborating efforts towards achieving progress against terrorism have been considered by concerned authorities. In assessing the efforts of the US military to transform and implement collaboration, international security assistance programs funded by the State Department have been carried out. These assistance programs helped to build alliances and to promote US interests. It also helped to manage military threats, manage natural disasters and humanitarian crises (Carafano and Weitz, 2007). Through such assistance programs, the US military has had a better chance in collaborating with American forces in availing of equipment essential for their management of such crises. In order to manage the security assistance programs, the Pentagon utilized the provisions of Foreign Military Sales, International Military Education and Training, and Foreign Military Financing. The Foreign Military Sales helped secure regional security and promote the interoperability between the US and its allies. Through the International Military Education and Training, foreign military and civilian personnel were given professional and leadership trainings and instructions. And finally, through Foreign Military Financing, grants and loans for eligible countries in the purchases of military articles, services, and training have been made available (Carafano and Weitz, 2007). The efforts of the US military to transform in terms of international collaboration and cooperation have managed to ensure that terrorist plans and activities can be thwarted within the US and in the borders of its allies. These efforts have managed to control and thwart some terrorist activities within and outside the US borders. However, terrorist activities are still very much prevalent in the international scene, especially in the Middle East and the Southeast Asian regions. Nevertheless, it is encouraging to note how the US is pursuing efforts to collaborate with other countries in order to ensure more peaceful relations with each other. Its efforts to consider the roots of civilian unrest are important considerations in its goals of managing terrorist activities. Assistance programs are important tools of securing allies and promoting US interests. It gives the poorer and undeveloped nations the important resources in order to improve their defense. At the same time, it also helps ensure that the terrorists do not overrun the defenses of the underdeveloped nations. The control of terrorist activities largely depends on the management of nations where these terrorists are located. Moreover, assistance programs to these poorer nations help to address the root of terrorism and unrest – poverty. Conclusion Based on the discussion above, the two efforts of the US military to transform have included the implementation of diversity in the US military and the implementation of international collaboration and cooperation activities. In implementing diversity in the US military, it has managed to implement a multicultural atmosphere and policy. These efforts have mostly been seen in the admission of Native Americans, African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics, and other nationalities within the military. This policy has managed to set forth important developments towards improving combat integration and coordination. In terms of coordination, the US has solidly made its mark towards improving collaboration through the implementation of assistance efforts in developing countries and its allies. Through such efforts, terrorist organizations and insurgents have been controlled and managed by these countries. Moreover, the management of crises and humanitarian needs have also been carried out to assist the areas which need it the most. Despite these solid efforts towards multiculturalism and coordination, there are still various issues in these areas which are experienced by the US and its allies. Clearly, more solid efforts in these areas still have to be carried out; however, the initial efforts and resources have been laid out. The need for consistent efforts now have to be implemented in order to ensure continued gains in these crucial problem areas in the US military. Works Cited Canaday, M. (2001) U.S. Military Integration of Religious, Ethnic, and Racial Minorities in the Twentieth Century. Palm Center. Retrieved 28 January 2011 from http://www.palmcenter.org/publications/dadt/u_s_military_integration_of_religious_ethnic_and_racial_minorities_in_the_twentieth_century Carafano, J. & Weitz, R. (2007) International collaboration for Homeland Security. Energy Publisher. Retrieved 28 January 2011 from http://www.energypublisher.com/article.asp?id=11625 McKearney, T. (2000) Collaborative Planning for Military Operations: Emerging Technologies and Changing Command Organizations. Department of Defense. Retrieved 28 January 2011 from http://www.dodccrp.org/events/2000_CCRTS/html/pdf_papers/Track_2/091.pdf Read More