Breach of Trust

Breach of Trust examines the disconnect between American society and its military forces in the post-9/11 era. Written by political scientist and military historian Andrew J. Bacevich, the book scrutinizes the sustainability of U.S. military commitments abroad. The text analyzes multiple groups responsible for the current state of American military policy: an disengaged civilian population, defense contractors seeking profit, Pentagon budget priorities, and political leadership. Through specific examples like staged patriotic displays at sporting events, Bacevich demonstrates how superficial gestures have replaced meaningful civilian engagement with military matters. The book investigates the role of political commentators and media figures in perpetuating military interventionism, highlighting how failed predictions about military engagements go unchallenged. Bacevich argues that the American public has surrendered its constitutional duty to maintain democratic oversight of military affairs. At its core, the work presents a critical examination of the relationship between American citizens and their armed forces, raising questions about democratic responsibility and the future of U.S. military policy in an era of professional soldiers and private contractors.

Readers emphasize Bacevich's clear analysis of the disconnect between American civilians and military service. Many note his examination of how the all-volunteer force has reduced public accountability for military actions. Readers appreciated: - Clear writing style and logical arguments - Personal perspective as a veteran and military historian - Concrete policy recommendations - Well-researched historical examples Common criticisms: - Repetitive points throughout chapters - Limited discussion of potential solutions - Some readers found the tone too pessimistic - Focus primarily on post-9/11 era Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (304 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (108 ratings) Multiple readers cited the chapter on the evolution of the draft as particularly impactful. One Amazon reviewer noted: "Bacevich perfectly captures how Americans have become disconnected from the wars fought in their name." Several Goodreads reviewers mentioned the book presents uncomfortable but necessary truths about civilian-military relationships.

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🎖️ Andrew J. Bacevich is a retired U.S. Army Colonel who became a prominent military historian and critic after losing his son, also an Army officer, in the Iraq War in 2007. 🏛️ The book's concept of "citizen-soldier" traces back to Ancient Rome's military system, where military service was a fundamental duty of citizenship. 🗽 Less than 0.5% of Americans serve in the active-duty military today, compared to 12% during World War II, illustrating the growing civilian-military divide discussed in the book. ⚔️ The term "military-industrial complex" - a key concept in the book - was first popularized by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in his 1961 farewell address, warning about the growing influence of defense contractors. 🎮 The Department of Defense has actively partnered with the video game industry since the 1990s, creating games like America's Army to aid recruitment - an example of modern military-civilian engagement discussed in the book.