This study examines the role that military forces in less developed countries can play in nation building. It analyses the nation building contributions of the armed forces of Argentina, Brazil, Malaysia, Republic of Korea and Venezuela in their respective countries. The Civilian Conservation Corps that existed in the U.S. in the 1930s and the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps are also analyzed. The evidence shows that armed forces can assist, in great measure, in nation building. There is, however, the danger that they can become politicized and eventually seize political power. The evidence reveals that there can also be economic and social disadvantages to military nation building. The study shows that the patterns of civil-military relations that exist in less developed nations could influence the success or failure of military nation building programs. By looking at the advantages and disadvantages of military involvement in nation building, the resources of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, and the need for nation building activities in Trinidad and Tobago, the study concludes that the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force can successfully be used for nation building in Trinidad and Tobago.

ADA 284476 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)