[November 14, 2014] Simple philosophical questions that go to the heart of societal needs are often difficult to answer. Difficult to answer, not because we cannot intuit the answer, but because we struggle to explain it in plain and simple terms. Do we need the U.S. Army? I believe the reason the United States needs its Army is because it serves two primary aims. First, defense of the homeland. Second, immunity from coercion. Both are irreducible imperatives.
Defense of the homeland can mean military action both inside our nation’s borders and anywhere that offers a clear threat to our citizens. Morally, there is no need for a nation to be reactive when its coexistence is threatened. Unsurprisingly it is a fundamental obligation for a society to be proactive; to take action to prevent destruction of the homeland. Immunity from coercion means the Army preserves the freedom of action for our civilian leaders and that society is free from the unscrupulousness and intimidation of others. This is vital for the continued security and stability of the nation.
“We are the indispensable Army of that indispensable nation.” – John McHugh, U.S. Army Secretary1
In the United States, for its Army to be successful at its obligations there are several things its military must do. First, it must have the trust and confidence of the American people. It does this by being a tough, professional force that is devoted to duty and service. Second, it must maintain readiness to aggressively and effectively execute its mission. This is done through good training, modern equipment, and having soldiers with the right state of mind. It means being capable of putting “boots on the ground” anytime, anyplace. When the United States puts its soldiers on the ground, everyone knows it means business.
While this is no surprise to military professionals, a key provision for a successful military is that the nation itself must also measure up. The nation needs to be strong, not just militarily, but also economically, psychologically, and socially. It must have positive, powerful, and proactive leadership. The nation must have hope in itself and the world must have hope in it. This is the hallmark of Americanism and has been there at least since its inception. When America is strong, only then can its Army be strong.
So, my question remains for the philosophical study … “Do we need the U.S. Army?” The answer of course is “yes.” But the world also needs the U.S. Army. For the United States to be a positive, powerful, and proactive lead nation, it must be tied closely to other nations with like-minded ideals.
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[1] http://www.ausa.org/AM/Documents/2014/Stories/MonStory00_LeadStoryMcHuge.aspx