Managing the Military: The Joint Chiefs of Staff and Civil-Military Relations

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) is a senior military figure in the US who advises the president and is often the public face of the armed forces. Managing the Military by Sharon K. Weiner examines when and how the JCS chairman opposes civilian defense policy preferences, showing that under the right conditions, they can be a policy entrepreneur, challenging the White House and lobbying for the military's interests. However, their political clout is constrained by the preferences of the service chiefs.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2022
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), a senior group of officers who lead the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, holds a significant position in the United States military hierarchy. As the primary military advisor to the President, the Chairman often serves as the public face of the armed forces. While some chairmen have used their role to advocate for the military's priorities and shape policy, others have taken a more proactive approach, challenging presidential preferences and charting new policy directions.

Managing the Military: A Pioneering Analysis of the Power of the Chairman of the JCS is a groundbreaking work that delves into the dynamics of civil-military relations in the United States. Authored by Sharon K. Weiner, the book employs detailed case studies of debates over defense budgets since the end of the Cold War to examine when and how the JCS Chairman opposes civilian defense policy preferences. Weiner's analysis reveals that, under certain conditions, the Chairman can emerge as a policy entrepreneur, challenging the goals of the White House and advocating for the military's interests.

However, the extent of the Chairman's political clout is influenced by the preferences of the service chiefs who head the branches of the military. Weiner also explores the evolution of the JCS institution and sheds light on the Chairman's interactions with the President and Secretary of Defense. By blending empirical detail with theoretical contributions, Managing the Military provides a compelling account of the circumstances under which the power of the JCS Chairman is maximized.

This book is a valuable resource for scholars, policymakers, and military professionals interested in understanding the complex relationship between the military and civilian leadership in the United States. It offers insights into the decision-making processes within the JCS, the dynamics of civil-military relations, and the challenges and opportunities that arise in managing the armed forces.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231207355