New Regiments, New Specialist Corps, and a New General Staff

Abstract

Military strength in the West largely depends on social capital, discipline, organization and professionalism. Only an abrupt change to Army force structure, personnel policies, and governance can achieve meaningful cultural transformation. This paper recommends the formation of stable, unified New Regiments to master tactics and theatre operations. A few officers and soldiers stream at mid-service life into a series of Specialist Corps that focus on acculturation and discipline. A few others transfer to a New General Staff to shape Army culture, balance the productive bureaucracy, build the institution and lead the profession. New personnel strategies build human relationships, trust, reputation, acculturation, and unique personal competencies. A New Governance System provides checks and balances against self-interested agency and exploitation. A New Governance System, including an Inspector General Corps and an independent union, legitimizes military coercion and liability in the democratic West.