One of the most eloquent reflections on the nature of the profession of arms was provided by General Douglas MacArthur in his farewell address to the Corps of Cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point on 12 May 1962. MacArthur eloquently captured the essence of the relation between the professional soldier and the state in a speech that has justifiably won a place in most anthologies of great speeches, as well as in the canon of Western military thought.
In his twilight years MacArthur reflected on the rapid technological and social changes, which were starting to shake the foundations of the United States in the 1960s. Yet he affirmed the immutable nature of certain virtues of soldierly conduct, especially sacrifice. And significantly he emphasised the proper subordination of the military professional to the civil authority (parliament). His words echo down the years and are worthy of quoting at length:
You now face a new world—a world of change. The thrust into outer space of the satellite, spheres, and missiles mark the beginning of another epoch in the long story of mankind. In the five or more billions of years the scientists tell us it has taken to form the earth, in the three or more billion years of development of the human race, there has never been a more abrupt or staggering evolution. We deal now not with things of this world alone, but with the illimitable distances and as yet unfathomed mysteries of the universe. We are reaching out for a new and boundless frontier...And through all this welter of change and development, your mission remains fixed, determined, inviolable: it is to win our wars.
Everything else in your professional career is but corollary to this vital dedication. All other public purposes, all other public projects, all other public needs, great or small, will find others for their accomplishment. But you are the ones who are trained to fight. Yours is the profession of arms, the will to win, the sure knowledge that in war there is no substitute for victory...
Others will debate the controversial issues, national and international, which divide men’s minds; but serene, calm, aloof, you stand as the Nation’s war-guardian, as its lifeguard from the raging tides of international conflict, as its gladiator in the arena of battle. For a century and a half you have defended, guarded, and protected its hallowed traditions of liberty and freedom, of right and justice.
Let civilian voices argue the merits or demerits of our processes of government; whether our strength is being sapped by deficit financing, indulged in too long, by federal paternalism grown too mighty, by power groups grown too arrogant, by politics grown too corrupt, by crime grown too rampant, by morals grown too low, by taxes grown too high, by extremists grown too violent; whether our personal liberties are as thorough and complete as they should be. These great national problems are not for your professional participation or military solution.
MacArthur of course spoke from conviction born of experience. He had been relieved of command in the Korean War by President Truman on account of his unwillingness to implement the legitimate policies of his civil superiors. At stake was not the effective prosecution of the war as the proper subordination of armed forces to the civil authority. This principle has been the foundation of the legitimacy of the armies of parliamentary democracies since the great English Constitutional settlement of 1688.
The individual soldier enters a contract of unlimited liability with the nation. He or she may in the course of their duty be expected to lay down their life. This implies a willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice and sets the profession of arms apart from all others.
This, however, is not the limit of the soldier’s sacrifice. He or she foregoes some of the normal liberties enjoyed by other citizens. Prominent among these is the right to engage in public criticism of the elected government of the nation or to become involved in public political agitation while on duty. There are deep historical reasons for this and they benefit rather than hinder the armed forces.
The soldier serves the nation and all its citizens. The enormous esteem that the Australian Army enjoys from the Australian people is based on their confidence that we serve the national interest and not any sectional interest. They feel secure in the knowledge that the Army is not used for political purposes within Australia. The Australian Army is a true symbol of national unity. This has been amply demonstrated by the public honours paid to our mates who have been killed on active service in recent years.
Since 1688 the maintenance of standing armies in nation of the Westminster tradition has been tolerated only on the condition of this strict political neutrality. This is one of the greatest strengths of our system of government and of military culture. It ensures that men and women of all classes, races, and religions (or none at all) are willing to serve in the Australian Army. This makes us truly representative of the nation. It is vital to our effectiveness. In recent months this fundamental principle has been questioned in some quarters. Quite properly the leadership of the Australian Defence Force and the Army have firmly insisted that it be upheld without qualification.
In particular, an intense debate over the war in Afghanistan has raged outside the Army. This is a sign of the health of our democracy. No doubt some within Army feel that the views expressed by some participants in this debate are ignorant or misinformed. Every soldier regardless of rank has a right to that opinion. But none of us has the right to engage in this debate at the public level.
The same must be said of the controversy over the charges laid against members of 1 Commando Regiment in relation to operations in Afghanistan. The Chief of the Army recently felt obliged to insist that all ranks maintain public silence in relation to this matter. He did this both in the interests of fairness and justice for the soldiers concerned, but also to preserve the integrity of the system oversight of the armed forces in a nation such as ours. As the custodian of Army’s enduring values and interests he could do no less.
As MacArthur observed, we are the ones who are trained to fight. Our monopoly on the organised use of lethal force on behalf of the nation carries with it an enormous responsibility. It is subject to civil oversight and regulated by strict laws and conventions. Again this is absolutely proper and in both the interests of the nation and the Army.
The debate over the war in Afghanistan has demonstrated the high regard in which the Australian Defence Force is held by our political leadership and the public at large. It has also reminded the Army that a long and arduous contest lies ahead. This year has been very demanding and we have suffered more casualties than in any year since the conflict began. The performance of our soldiers, sailors and air force personnel inspires confidence that this sacrifice is achieving real improvements for the people of Afghanistan and contributing directly to the security of Australia.
As 2010 draws to a close we should pause to reflect on the sacrifices of mates who have been killed and wounded in Afghanistan. In particular, the Army family extends its sympathy to the families and loved ones of those who have paid the supreme sacrifice. Their sense of loss will be even more acute at Christmas—a time for traditional family gatherings.
As the long vacation approaches and we prepare to celebrate Christmas it is timely to remember our mates on operations overseas and their families at home. On behalf of the Australian Army, the Australian Army Journal extends its sincere condolences to the families and loved one of Private Nathan Bewes, Trooper Jason Brown, Private Tomas Dale, Private Grant Kirby and Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney who died during active service in Afghanistan. Their sacrifices are contributing to the peaceful enjoyment of our way of life that characterises this time of year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our readers.
The Editor and Board of the Australian Army Journal
