Retired general co-authors essay on military and civilian government ties

A retired four-star general removed from his post last year has published an essay examining the relationship between the military and civilian leadership. The essay, co-authored with a Duke University political scientist and a North Carolina attorney, was published in Foreign Affairs.

It reviews the history of that relationship from the founding of the United States to the present. The authors state that the military must follow lawful orders and remain nonpartisan to maintain public respect. They add that service members take an oath to the Constitution rather than to any party or individual.

Essay addresses domestic deployments The essay notes that the public generally accepts military assistance during natural disasters. It states that assigning troops to address domestic crime in cities raises different considerations. The authors write that using the military to resolve political disputes diverts attention from its primary combat mission.

They cite George Washington in stating that it is not the military's role to resolve political disagreements.

Pentagon responds to essay A Pentagon spokesman wrote on X that the retired general had supported COVID-19 vaccine mandates and diversity programs. The spokesman said current leadership has removed those programs and refocused on combat standards. The spokesman added that general and flag officers serve at the pleasure of the president and the secretary of war.

The essay was published days after the retired general spoke at an Aspen Institute event about recent officer removals. A member of Congress who is a former Air Force brigadier general said the dismissals had politicized the process. A senator has also criticized the handling of senior leadership changes.