Forty Years of Goldwater-Nichols

Forty years ago this month, President Ronald Reagan signed the Goldwater-Nichols Act into law, dramatically reforming the way the US military operates. Today, the joint force remains shaped by many of the features introduced in October 1986. But how did it happen? What problems did the legislators behind it want to solve? And how did Congress manage to enact a wide range of reforms that the Pentagon vehemently opposed? This episode marks the fortieth anniversary of Goldwater-Nichols by examining those questions and more. To do so, John Amble is joined by Arnold Punaro, who served as staff director of the Senate Armed Services Committee as Goldwater-Nichols took shape. He simultaneously served in the Marine Corps Reserve, ultimately retiring as a major general after commanding a division, giving him a unique perspective that he brings to the episode's discussion.

The MWI Podcast is produced with the generous support of the West Point Class of 1974.