Interaction helps 'calibrate' military culture

6/6/2003 - MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFPN)  -- Military interaction with the public it serves helps "calibrate" military culture, said the Air Force secretary in an interview here May 30.

Dr. James G. Roche was here to serve as the capstone speaker during the 50th National Security Forum held May 26 to 30 at Air University.

The annual symposium brings more than 150 civilian leaders from across the country to Air University to interact with the more than 260 Air War College students. Distinguished speakers from the Department of Defense, industry and academia spoke to attendees throughout the week.

The speeches stimulate invaluable discussions on many of the nation's most important national security issues, AU officials said.

"There is a school of thought in academia that the military class is increasingly distancing itself from the citizens of the United States," Roche said. "It is hard to say it's not true because, since there isn't a draft, the people who enter the military do so voluntarily and choose to have a life separate of the rest of society."

One of the purposes of the National Security Forum is to give influential civilian leaders a better understanding and appreciation of pressing military and national security issues, officials said. Another is to give military leaders a better understanding of the questions and concerns of those they serve.

"When the future leaders of the Air Force and other services have the opportunity to spend not just an hour but a week with nonmilitary leaders who represent people throughout the country, that helps the citizenry calibrate the culture of the armed forces," the secretary said.

One forum attendee said he plans on sharing what he has learned at the symposium with others in his community.

"I hope to be a better ambassador to the civilian community," said Dr. Jim Watts, a physician from Spokane, Wash. "I want to do this so the public can better understand the role of the military." (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)