The Military Abroad

In: The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Volume 368, Issue 1, p. 31-42

Abstract

The dimensions and purposes of current deploy ments of American military personnel abroad are unprece dented. There are presently more than a million and one- half Americans stationed outside the continental United States as a direct consequence of United States defense policies. Most of the combat forces overseas are clustered strategically at advanced bases in western Europe, principally West Ger many, and in the Far East, increasingly in or near South Viet nam. American military garrisons abroad are not unlike mili tary installations in the United States except that American personnel are even more isolated from the surrounding com munities. In most regions the servicemen's dependents are allowed to accompany them. Dependents often live in hous ing provided by the military and have access to schools, hos pitals, churches, stores, and recreational facilities made avail able at the foreign bases, giving a decidedly "domestic" or "American" atmosphere to life on United States bases. Al though community relations are generally satisfactory, Ameri can bases are vulnerable to incidents that sometimes provoke anti-American expressions affecting United States relations with the host countries. Advances in technology and politi cal shifts may make adjustments in overseas deployments both practicable and necessary. Yet as long as the United States pursues its present policy goals abroad a large percent age of America's military personnel are likely to be stationed overseas.