Our admired military. (National Security).(The Generation of Trust: How the U.S. Military Has Regained the Public's Confidence Since Vietnam)(Book Review)

David King and Zachary Karabell, The Generation of Trust: How the U.S. Military Has Regained the Public's Confidence Since Vietnam, AEI Press, March 2003 (aei.org)

While Baby Boomers, reared in the Vietnam era, remain skeptical of the American military, Americans' overall esteem for the armed services has never been higher. In public opinion surveys, the military ranks above other parts of government, churches, universities, and hospitals. In this AEI book, David King, a Harvard University professor, and Zachary Karabell, a New York City economic analyst, examine how the military transformed itself from the weak, dispirited, and ineffective force of the 1970s to the powerful and respected institution of today. The two focus on improved performance, professionalism, and persuasion tactics the military employed to boost morale and public esteem.

Performance: In the wake of Vietnam and other high-profile traumas, the military has performed better. It has succeeded in every major mission since the early 1980s. The authors attribute these successes to improved staffing and strengthened lines of communication--which indirectly led to the emergence of politician-generals like Colin Powell.

Professionalism: Following the withdrawal of the last American troops from Vietnam in 1973, the military abolished the draft. Since ...