| A | B |
|---|
| "peace dividend" | $ that gets cut from military programs during peace time |
| Joint Chiefs of Staff | composed of representatives of all the services; recommend policies that benefit all services |
| "Don't ask, don't tell" | policy regarding homosexuals in the military |
| Mutual Assured Destruction | If an enemy launched missiles at us, we would reciprocate. |
| Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles | system capable & ready to attack any country that attacked the U.S. |
| Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI or "Star Wars") | system that would intercept enemy missiles before they could reach the U.S. |
| Cost overruns | The actual cost of military equipment is greater that the estimated cost. |
| military-industrial complex | alleged alliance among key military, gov't, & corporate decision-makers involved in weapons procurement & military support systems. |
| Gold plating | Tendency for military leaders to demand the best of the best in every way. |
| National Security Act (1947) | Created the Dept. of Defense |
| Chain of Command | Pres. as Commander in Chief is head of the military; under him, Secy. of Defense; both are civilians, so military is under civilian control. |
| Armed Services Committees | House & Senate each have them; within them are strong advocates of one or another service. |
| Goldwater-Nichols Act (1986) | Increased power of the officers who coordinate the activities of the different services to increase coordination & efficiency. |
