U.s. Army School of Advanced Military Studies

United States Military Theorist: a Study of Patrons and Interest (Defense) U.s. Army School of Advanced Military Studies

The United States has been home to several influential military theorists who changed how the United States and other countries protect national interests, train, equip, and fight wars. Among these theorists are A. T. Mahan, Billy Mitchell, and more recently Arthur Cebrowski. Their theories were adopted by the United States government resulting in changes to how the nation organized for its national defense and protected its national interests. Given the scope of potential change that a new military theory can affect, it is important to understand the purpose of the theory, the process by which it advanced through the government and the stakeholders that influence the theory and shape its acceptance by the United States government. For a military officer to advance a military theory through the government and multiple stakeholders, they must move through an informal process to get their theory accepted to create policy. By understanding this process, policymakers and military professionals alike can better identify a military theorist and assist how he/she, can advance a theory to policy.