The Armed Forces Officer

This new edition takes up George Marshall s inspirational premise and S. L. A. Marshall s example and carries them into the new century. The book aims to educate commissioned officers of all services, as well as interested outsiders, about the basic moral ethical requirements of being a commissioned officer in the Armed Forces of the United States. Understanding the common foundation of commissioned leadership and command of American military forces is essential if we are to achieve true excellence in joint operations; it unites the officers of the separate services in a common calling of supporting, defending, and bearing true faith and allegiance to the Constitution, and in providing good and faithful service in performance of the military officer s duty. The book begins emphasizing the officer s oath and commission, observing the implications of the Constitutional division of military authority between the state and federal governments and of constitutional authority and responsibility for civil control of federal forces between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. These divisions are sometimes difficult to negotiate, but they are the foundation of American liberty. The nation is ill-served when the leadership of the armed forces is inadequately attentive to the different roles and responsibilities of the separate branches. The nation is stronger when the American people fully understand them and demand their respect.