Current and past military commitments in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, and Vietnam have been influenced by military advice to civilian leaders over the past 60+ years. This monograph examines whether today's military processes and culture adequately develop and prepare senior officers to render clear, objective, useful advice to their civilian leaders. This study develops and analyzes a profile of senior U.S. military leaders along five dimensions: physical, experience, military mindset, Western mindset, and personality. The basic profile indicates that most senior leaders are elderly, white males who are successful tactical professionals selected overwhelmingly from the "core" of each service. They generally feel a profound sense of responsibility to defend the nation which manifests itself in risk averse behavior when estimating threats to the nation resulting in a strong inclination towards maintaining a strong extant military. They tend to have Orientalist tendencies and are endowed with a strong desire to control any situation they are a part of, focusing on direct solutions. Finally, senior leaders are almost exclusively logical, principled decision makers who are good organizers. They work well within hierarchical organizations, tend to avoid organizational conflict, and are resistant to change. In order to overcome any negative consequences of the characteristics associated with this profile, this monograph recommends that senior leaders first become self-aware of the inherent constraints to behavior and action that the profile suggests. This will help the leader to consider the implications of his personal biases before thinking about solutions and making decisions. Second, this monograph recommends that senior leaders surround themselves with a diverse group of advisors and analysts who think both similarly and differently from the senior leader. By surrounding himself with a diverse staff with varied backgrounds, the senior leader will expose himself to different views. By considering those different views, the leader will allow innovation to take place and make better, more informed decisions. Finally, this monograph recognizes that these characteristics are present for a reason. They likely are the Darwinian product of an evolution that chose the fittest traits for survival because they work -- they ensure the nation has the best senior officers to ensure the security of the nation. The main question is whether the evolution which is based on successes of the past is adequate for success in the future.

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.)