WHY CIVILIAN CONTROL OF THE MILITARY?
By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service May 2, 2001 WASHINGTON, May 2, 2001 — Civilian control of the military is so ingrained in America that we hardly give it a second thought. Most Americans don’t realize how special this relationship is and how it has contributed to the country. The framers of the U.S. Constitution worked to ensure the military would be under civilian control. They did not want to emulate the European experience. The colonies had just fought a war for freedom from Britain. The king controlled the British military, and the farmers had no interest in duplicating that system. When they wrote the Constitution they separated the responsibilities for the military, placing the responsibilities firmly in civilian hands. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution states that Congress shall have the power “to raise and support Armies” and “to provide and maintain a Navy.” In addition, Congress must provide for the state militias when they are called to federal service.
