Book Critique of Civilian in Peace Soldier in War the Army National Guard 1636-2000 Book Review

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military and National Guard career spanning more than four decades, Michael D. Doubler (2003) is highly qualified to chronicle the history and evolution of the National Guard. Doubler's (2003) analysis roots the National Guard in the original colonial militias, showing how colonial and then state militias morphed into a formidable and cohesive federal force. Although the author avoids political analysis or critique of the roles the National Guard has played, Civilian in Peace, Soldier in War does provide an ample outline of National Guard history. The book accomplishes more than a simple chronology, however. Doubler also details the function and readiness of National Guard in different situations.

The National Guard occupies a curious role in the American armed forces. That role has also shifted dramatically over time, in response to factors like changing domestic needs, changing domestic policies and politics, and also changing international realities. Currently, the National Guard falls under the rubric of armed forces and therefore also under the blanket of the Department of Defense. The Guard is mainly a reserve force, and therefore readiness issues are central to its effectiveness. How the United States Department of Defense manages the National Guard in order to ensure readiness remains one of the core questions Doubler (2003) addresses in Civilian in Peace, Soldier in War. The title of Doubler's (2003) book encapsulates the function of National Guard members who are civilians most of the time yet constantly vigilant for the call to serve in times of crisis.

Doubler's (2003) book does not present an argument as much as it offers a historical and organizational framework for understanding the National Guard. The theoretical standpoint Doubler (2003) uses in the text does, however, include necessary references to the constitutionality of the National Guard as a militia force. Doubler (2003) accurately states that the Constitution of the United States expressly supports and affirms the use of a militia force for suppressing "insurrections," protecting national security from external incursions, and helping to enforce and execute laws (xviii). Thus, Doubler (2003) does welcome debate about how to legally define such problems as a domestic insurrection or rebellion. Should a domestic conflict arise, the executive branch of government would summarily be entrusted with the responsibility of determining when, how, and why to invoke the National Guard. Generally, and gratefully, the National Guard serves a rather clearly defined role within the American armed forces. Doubler (2003) also describes the National Guard as a flexible, not static, force. The role of the National Guard might change from one generation to the next, depending on things like political climate or international affairs.

Likewise, the author spends some time discussing how the National Guard might alter its organizational structure and culture. Organizational structure and culture are relatively stable within any Department of Defense organization, but changes could have a strong and direct bearing on logistics and readiness. For example, Doubler (2003) makes sure to mention how weaponry, training, and personnel decisions do change rather regularly in the National Guard. The National Guard is distinct from, but inextricably linked to, the Army. A little like fraternal twins, the Army and National Guard have different appearances, outlooks, and even political approaches to military matters and public policy. The differences between the Army and the National Guard often do become political problems, which ultimately resolve themselves in a manner not unlike the system of checks and balances in Washington. Role clarity is not as big of a problem as it might seem, Doubler (2003) points out. Rather, collaboration and cooperation on major issues and crises are sometimes difficult to attain. The origins of the National Guard are traceable to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636. As such, the National Guard predates the standing army, which was effectively created in 1775 as the Continental Army.

Civilian in Peace, Soldier in War: The Army National Guard 1636-2000 is divided into three sections. The first part covers the years between 1636 and 1897. Entitled "The Militia," this part traces the evolution of the National Guard from the colonial militia forces through the Revolutionary War, and finally resting on the stage of volunteer militia services that proved to be critical during the formative years of the nation. Throughout this period, the National Guard cannot be called such; it was an era of the volunteer militia model that reflected entrenched anti-federalist beliefs.

Doubler (2003) breaks off the first section of the book at the onset of the Spanish American War, because the incident served as a turning point in American foreign and domestic policies.

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Part II of Civilian in Peace, Soldier in War is simply titled "The National Guard," as it refers to the birth of the modern National Guard. Covering the period between 1898 and 1945, Part II shows how the 21st century National Guard is still modeled on the basic blueprint that was designed in the first half of the 20th century. The Modern National Guard was formed in direct response to an increasingly interventionist foreign policy. As American values and political goals changed dramatically at the turn of the century, the armed forces required a more definitive role for the National Guard not only as a civilian militia but as a civilian militia with a distinct role to play in foreign policy and international strategy. A side box for the "Father of the Modern National Guard" Charles W.F. Dick adds a human face to the history.

1903 is the first watershed year for the National Guard, because it was then that the Militia Act was revised to reflect new political realities. Gone was the outmoded volunteer militia, to welcome a stronger federally funded National Guard. The change coincided with a change in American politics toward federalism and interventionism. Yet it was still unclear what the distinction would be between the Regular Army and the National Guard. Issues like jurisdiction had yet to be ironed out. Doubler (2003) points out that some role clarity was evident in the way the National Guard would be entrusted with responsibilities like protecting armories. 1908 would be the next watershed moment for the National Guard, as another revision to the Militia Act expanded the functions of the National Guard as being more than just a domestic militia. The National Guard would be offering assistive troops to the Regular Army in wartime, and it would start to actually resemble the Army in more ways.

Part III of the book is called, "The Army National Guard" and covers 1946 to 2000. The last half of the twentieth century seriously challenged the readiness of the National Guard to respond to a number of different types of crises. The Cold War, the Gulf Wars, and the "new world order" or terrorism and counterterrorism have reshaped National Guard identities and ideals. National Guardsmen were sent to Vietnam, and also addressed civil unrest. Skillful management and federal oversight ensures that National Guard resources are not spread too thin, but resource allocation and readiness remain problems. Finally, Doubler (2003) discusses ways the National Guard serves as one of the most important American peacekeeping forces. Especially in the age of terrorism and counterterrorism, the Army National Guard is poised to serve on two fronts: one to protect the homeland and the other to provide necessary peacekeeping and/or military support services abroad.

The line between the Army National Guard and the Regular Army is far less blurry after reading Doubler's (2003) Civilian in Peace, Soldier in War. The book is well researched and thoroughly documented. Data is accompanied by references, indicated in end notes, as well as tables and charts used judiciously throughout the book. Written by an author with more than forty years of military career history, the material has a high degree of credibility. Furthermore, Civilian in Peace, Soldier in War is written in plain language with a straightforward approach. Scholarly in scope and yet readable, the book provides an apt balance for the reader. The arguments are also tight, and presented in an organized manner according to both chronology and theme. Although Doubler (2003) occasionally seems idealistic or laudatory, the narration retains an undercurrent of realism.

Doubler's (2003) documentation bears no burden of bias. The author relies on fact more than on conjecture. There is little to take issue with in Civilian in Peace, Soldier in War, other than perhaps the relationship between the National Guard and the Regular Army. It would be fascinating to read a response to Doubler's (2003) book, either written by the author or someone whose views differed entirely. Taken at face value, Civilian in Peace, Soldier in War offers an objective overview of the role the National Guard has played and continues to play in American military strategy. The story of the National Guard is wound up with the story of American interventionism and increased global policing; with the story of anti-communist fears; and with the story of America's tricky navigation through a world consumed by the threat of non-state actors. American readers.....

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