By Ed Hagerty, Ph.D
Program Director, National Security Studies at American Military University
The widely popular Military Studies Program at AMU has recently undergone significant enhancements designed to optimize integration between courses and to meet the evolving needs of our military, Department of Defense, and national security professionals. One of the greatest enhancements that will immediately benefit students is the complete revision of all courses from a 16-week format to an 8-week format. Students can now complete a Military Studies degree in half the time!
Another major change to the program is that the curriculum places more emphasis on current and emerging issues while exploring the military and historical events that influence them. The change in focus is evident by the reduction of concentrations and certificate programs from six to two: Joint Warfare and Strategic Leadership. Both are interdisciplinary programs that contain courses directly relevant to individual service branches, but the focus on joint warfare reflects the current policies and practices of today’s military forces. Likewise, the Strategic Leadership concentration also embodies a study of joint issues as well as timeless leadership principles that have served us well for many generations. The placement of those principles in the modern context of joint warfare gives them increased immediacy and relevance for today’s professionals. The interdisciplinary nature of our program adds to its relevance by providing a broader “whole of government” approach to military issues.
One might be tempted to think of joint warfare as the trend of the future, but it has been with us for many years and is becoming increasingly institutionalized with each conflict we are involved in in the U.S. Joint war fighting and coalition war fighting are not future trends. They are here now and they are here to stay. A holistic, comprehensive, and coordinated approach to Military Studies is vital to the mission of today’s military and national security professionals. The revised and dynamic Military Studies program at AMU provides students with the tools needed for success in understanding the complexities of modern warfare and making sound decisions at all levels.
About the Author
Dr. Hagerty is an Air Force Reserve colonel and special agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI). He is presently assigned to AFOSI Field Investigations Region 6, Hickam AFB, HI, which provides criminal, counterintelligence, and specialized investigative support throughout the PACAF/PACOM area. His book, The Air Force Office of Special Investigations, 1948-2000,was published by AFOSI in 2008. Dr. Hagerty also serves as the book review editor for the Journal of Strategic Security.
Dr. Hagerty holds a Ph.D. from Temple University, where he worked closely with the eminent military historian Russell F. Weigley. Dr. Hagerty’s primary interest in the field of military history is the American Civil War, with a secondary interest in Irish History.
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