U.S. Constitution and Oath of Enlistment Sergeant Mackey, Wayne R Jr. FA Staff Sergeant Schiffbauer Sergeant’s School 5-23 Stearns 2 The military is over-sought by civilians to achieve a more perfect union; where the public has rights to their own homes so soldiers may not quarter, obtain firearms for protection, and follow their preferred faith without ridicule from the state. Due to the founding fathers’ struggles with their previous country, they saw a better way to accomplish a better life. Civilian control over the military allows a democracy and not an authoritarian state. Dr. Kohn stated, “Civilian control allows a nation to base its values and purposes, its institutions and practices, on the popular will rather than on the choices of military leaders, whose outlook by definition focuses on the need for internal order and external security.” (1997). Popular will is not unanimous amongst the people, hence why different political parties push their agendas to make a society they believe is correct. That is the beauty of America, the values of society differ. An authoritarian state will not allow its subjects to be different. It must be homogeneous and free of individualism. To ensure an authoritarian state will not come to fruition was to emplace checks and balances, The Constitution of The United States, and the ability to have a civilian Commander in Chief. To summarize, to achieve a more perfect union the founding fathers established a representative democracy. Where civilian voices can be heard by another individual to substantiate the issues and concerns to come to a solution deemed fit by the populace. The absence of an authoritarian state allows free thought and will to be had. Stearns 3 Bibliography “An Essay on Civilian Control of the Military | American Diplomacy Est 1996,” March 1, 1997. https://americandiplomacy.web.unc.edu/1997/03/an-essay-on-civilian-control-of-themilitary/.
