All-Volunteer Force

The all-volunteer force (AVF), created in conjunction with the end of the draft in 1973, has been the most significant development in modern American military history. Since its inception, the influence of the AVF has reached far beyond the US armed forces, affecting the very character of American civil-military relations. While its successes and challenges continue to be widely discussed and fervently debated, one thing is certain: the AVF is critical to both US national security and the fabric of American society. The insightful, cogent, and provocative essays contained in this timely volume represent a crucial first step in assessing the AVF after fifty years of service. Here, fifteen renowned authors speak to vital issues that remain relevant today and will endure well into the future.The AVF has garnered both triumphs and shortcomings but continues to be an essential institution. Engaged dialogue about the AVF is crucial to ensure that it remains ready to meet and overcome potential threats and that policymakers address the central obstacles it faces today.The All-Volunteer Force is the most comprehensive assessment of the force since its advent and reveals the momentous sway the AVF has had on the military, government, and society. In crafting this far-reaching collection of essays, William A. Taylor examines the AVF in four distinct parts, analyzing its history, results, challenges, and implications. In doing so, this compelling book explores all the major facets of the AVF—past, present, and future—that influence the military, government, and society in the United States.This dynamic volume brings together a multidisciplinary group of distinguished authors who each bring to bear important perspectives on specific aspects of the AVF. These contributors include leading scholars, general officers, civilian policymakers, and personnel experts who collectively provide a holistic assessment of the accomplishments and shortcomings of the AVF during its fifty years of service.

"In one lively volume, a balanced and comprehensive assessment of the all-volunteer force. Historical chapters recount how the AVF got started and how it evolved. Leading scholars offer praise and skepticism in their assessments of the AVF today and its future challenges. The wide-ranging chapters offer keen insights into the consequences for US civil-military relations of relying on volunteers."--Charles A. Stevenson, lecturer, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Service, and author of Warriors and Politicians: US Civil-Military Relations under Stress"These essays by distinguished scholars ask and answer many fundamental questions about the shift to an All-Volunteer Force. They are insightful and informative and make a significant contribution to the existing historical literature."--Kyle Longley, director of the War, Diplomacy, and Society Program at Chapman University, and author of Grunts: The American Combat Soldier in Vietnam"This resource is an exceptionally well-timed contribution to our understanding of this vital institution. The questions that attended the creation of the AVF have never been more urgent and important than they are today. Fans and critics of the AVF will find plenty here to challenge them and make them reflect anew on how best to protect the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic."--Peter Feaver, professor of political science and public policy, Duke University, and author of Thanks for Your Service: The Causes and Consequences of Public Confidence in the US Military

William A. Taylor is the Lee Drain Endowed University Professor of Global Security Studies at Angelo State University and editor of the Studies in Civil-Military Relations series.