This article addresses the necessary areas of reform to enhance CA implementation of strategic operations . As such , this paper begins with World War II — the catalyst to modern CA operations — to examine the US Army School of Military Government and the occupation of Germany . Following this historical review , the raison d ’ être of CA is examined to best understand its primary role in mitigating modern conflict . Finally , this article takes an in-depth look into needed reforms , such as a modern military government school and military phases .
The Rise of Modern Military Government
By the 1940s , the American Army had gained a century ’ s worth of military government and CA experience through control of civilian populations . In every war since the War of 1812 , the US military has exercised control over the civil government of occupied territories , such as parts of Mexico , the South during the Civil War , the Philippines , and Cuba . 3 However , while the United States conducted military government operations for nearly all of its past wars , it did so reluctantly . This hesitation stemmed from US fears of projecting an image of imperialism and the US unconstitutional aspects of a military government . However , with heightened tensions in the 1930s and early 1940s , US leaders grew aware of the role that military government oper-ations would assume in conditions of war . History created the need for a conventional standard of CA , one that could estab-lish the US Army duties and responsibilities . In 1940 , the US published the Field Manual for CA / military government ( FM 27-5 ) which set the standard for CA / military government as : “ all powers exercised and responsibilities assumed by the military commander in an occupied or liberated area with respect to the lands , properties , and inhabitants thereof , whether such admin-istration be in enemy , allied , or domestic territory .” 4
FM 27-5 established the need for CA in occupied territories , as well as the roles and functions of CA officers in the execution of military government . The Army would be responsible for administering future military government operations , but lacked the personnel for such a task . As such , US senior leaders recognized the need for personnel recruitment and training programs . In December 1941 , Secretary of War Henry L . Stimson approved a plan to train officers for CA , and in May 1942 , the School of Military Government ( SOMG ) began classroom instruction . 5 As such , the curriculum covered government and administration , legal affairs , government finance , money and banking , and other related topics . The Army ’ s Military Government Division estimated in September 1942 that 6,000 trained officers would be needed worldwide , supplemented with 6,000 recruited from tactical units for occupation duties . 6 To aid in this effort , ten select universities across the country and
CA training schools provided necessary training to CA officers . 7 By the last four months of 1943 , the Army had secured nearly all of its estimated wartime European requirements .
As CA training institutions churned out specialized officers , the United States and Britain prosecuted the war against the Axis powers in earnest . These efforts created the foundation for the CA missions undertaken during and after World War II . On May 22 , 1943 , British Lieutenant General Sir Frederick E . Morgan initiated post conflict planning under the codename “ Rankin .” 8 This was an occupation plan in the most literal sense : the Allied forces would control spaces and critical access points , particularly as it liberated countries under Axis control and the Axis powers themselves . However , US military officers were apolitical in terms of civil-military relations . As historian Stephen Ambrose pointed out , such apoliticalism was “ a deeply ingrained principle ” in both Eisenhower and the army officers of his generation . 9 At the same time , CA officers instituted governance development initiatives , such as the establishment of democratic structures , the elimination of Fascist / Nazi officials , and the promotion of free speech and elections .
On D-Day ( June 6 , 1944 ), codename Talisman replaced Rankin . Talisman sought to disarm German forces in the West , gain strategic areas in Germany , and establish conditions under which “ United Nations agencies can assist in the relief and rehabilitation of liberated countries ,” 10 effectively serving as a post-WWII occupation plan of Germany .
In an outline plan issued on 10 November 1944 , Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force ( SHAEF ) described Eclipse as the plans and preparations for operations in Europe in the event of a German surrender . Eclipse defined surrender in two ways : “ as an instrument formally signed by a German government or the German High Command , or as a decision to be taken by Eisenhower when the majority of the German forces had capitulated or been overpowered .”
While the surrender aspect of Eclipse was , it was not without flaws . Eclipse provided little information about long-range plans for Germany other than the surrender and internment of German forces , restoration of Public Order , and the distribution of Allied forces throughout Germany . Eclipse had two phases : the first phase called on Allied forces to seize strategic areas within Germany . The second phase stated the deployed forces would establish “ firm control . . . [ and ] carry out the disarmament and disposal of enemy forces . . . [ and adjust ] dispositions of national forces to coincide ultimately with the national zones of occupation .” 11 Eclipse ’ s second phase had five objectives : ( 1 ) first and foremost was the disarmament and control of the German forces ; ( 2 ) the enforcement of the terms
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