Global Force of Good: The United States of America
Since the end of the Second World War and the Cold War, the United States has often been regarded as the world’s most powerful nation today. In the political, economic and social sector, the country often served as the leader of the international community while some saw the country as a role model for change and democracy. However, in times of conflict and disasters, the United States is one of the first few who would respond and send in the US military to help nations in need. Critics may find this action by the United States questionable considering the implications and consequences of US military presence in these ailing nations for the possibility of national agenda or conspiracy. Despite the perceptions of critics and opponents to US military presence, the mobilization of these forces emphasizes that America is ready to help its fellow nations should they require assistance without asking for political, economic and social favors.
While the Soviet Union and the US militaries were launching campaigns against the other, the US military also concentrated in assisting the reconstruction of Europe and Asia. MacMillian (2009) stated that the United States aided the recovery through economic aid (namely the Marshall Plan) and supported political reform in Asia and the rest of Europe . Aside from aiding in the reconstruction, the US government also sent out its military forces to liberate countries in conflict in the region. According to Yates (2006), the US sent its military to aid in the removal of guerrillas or communist-led insurgencies in countries like Greece, the Philippines, Korea, Vietnam, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and the remaining areas of the Balkans to name a few. While their victory has varied, US intervention has enabled political and economic changes to occur in these affected countries that permitted the construction of institutions and governments .
With the end of the Cold War, the US military remained in active service in order to aid countries in need of its intervention or military aid. Currently, the US maintains three major forces to aid in peacetime monitoring and assistance. The first military division is the US Navy Seabees, which was created to ensure that the US would be able to aid in logistics and reconstruction efforts around the globe. The Navy, according to its history (2007), recruited craftsmen – from electricians to equipment operations- who can also be trained to fight. The Seabees was officially launched in 1942 in order to aid the US military to construct critical infrastructure such as storage areas, bridges and roads. Today, the Seabees have six major Battalions, 2 Amphibious and Underwater Construction groups respectively. They are also the first US forces to be deployed in cases of emergency and can work at any given terrain .
Aside from the Seabees, the Army Corps of Engineers also served as America’s support group to support the country’s actions worldwide. According to the website Global Security (2000), the Army Corps of Engineers handles one-on-one interaction with the people as they are capable of reaching out to the indigenous groups and other military personnel. They also aid in supporting host-nation institutional and infrastructure development; from the time it is developed to its final product. Sometimes, these Engineers also serve as teachers for local military personnel to harness the equipment and infrastructure created . Finally, the US Navy Fleet also aids in international effort by stopping piracy in the world shores to ensure continuous trade and safe passage. According to Rice (2009), the US launched its Navy to stop hijackings of navy vessels around the globe due to the increasing instance of piracy. The Navy patrols vulnerable areas and also ensure that ships are familiar with protective measures to stay safe at any given circumstance .
The US also concentrated on using its resources to aid countries affected by disasters: from financial aid and relief to military assistance. In the case of Haiti, for instance, the US government had immediately aided in the assessment of the country after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake had hit several major areas in the country in 2010. According to Margesson and Taft-Morales (2010), the estimate of the Inter-American Development Bank revealed that the country would need at least $14 billion or more to recover from the issue and with the 2004 tsunami’s effects still lingering in the country, recovery seemed bleak. The US sent its emissaries to Haiti and authorized a $50,000 budget for the creation of an emergency response program to aid the country recover. Humanitarian response efforts were done by the Response Management Team of the US Agency for International Development. An additional $100 million humanitarian assistance grant was also given to ensure that Haiti’s recovery efforts would continue to progress. The military were also deployed to do air-medical evacuations and recovery efforts .
Similar humanitarian and emergency assistance were also given by the United States to the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia when they also were struck by disasters. In the case of the Philippines, the US immediately mobilized in order to assist the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. Lum and Margesson (2013) indicated that the US had sent disaster assistance and diplomatic activity which also bolstered the relations of the two countries. A $40 million military assistance and $25 million humanitarian aid, alongside an earlier grant of $60 million, was given to the Philippines to aid in its efforts in recovery . For Japan, US assistance – according to Feickert and Chanlett-Avery (2011) – came through the form of military assistance to aid in humanitarian and relief efforts. A financial aid of almost $95 million was also given to Japan to aid Japanese recovery and remove the debris from the affected areas of the earthquake and tsunami .
Indonesia was granted $87.6 million financial aid in order to improve its education, health and clean water programs in the next few years. According to Lum (2008), some of the funds were also used to improve Indonesia’s military efforts especially with the growth of terrorism. Further relief was also given after the 2004 Tsunami that affected 500,000 people, giving Indonesia a recovery and reconstruction fund of $400 million, adding to the available funds of $631 million tsunami and relief efforts opened by the US through the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror and Tsunami Relief of 2005 . Finally, Liberia – according to Cook (2010) - was also granted assistance through a $1.8 million USAID project to rehabilitate the country’s government alongside the National Democratic Institute. A 14-month USAID program was also launched to improve Liberia’s legislative functions and enhance the power of its government. Bilateral assistance through financial donations were also done to alleviate Liberia’s debt which amounted to $391 million .
Considering the extent of US military operations around the globe, it is a question as to whether or not these troops are just white Americans given the position of many when it comes to the US military. According to Segal and Segal (2004), the United States currently has about 990,000 people stationed throughout the country while an additional one-quarter of its troops are currently deployed around the globe. Most of these military personnel come from Texas, California, North Carolina and Virginia amounting to 163,000 personnel as of 2002. The Army has the largest share of these troops with almost 386,000 within the country, while the rest are deployed for the United Nations or for its smaller operations around the globe. Aside from white Americans, the US military also hosts personnel with Asian, African, European and even American Indians. Their religion and ethnicity have also varied and most of them have families who have served the US military since the time of the Great Wars .
The United States of America would always be seen differently by many nations depending on the context of the discussion. Some would see the country as an ally, others would see it as a foe. However, looking at its military history and background, it is clear that the US is acting not just for its sake but also for the benefit of others. From the end of the Second World War to the present, the US has been open in aiding others without prompting and asking something in return. Its assistance is not just limited in military aid but also in financial and humanitarian assistance which can be seen as a very huge endowment coming from the great power. While it is always criticized for its actions, many people would agree that America – through its military – reveal an America that is not just a political and economic powerhouse; but an America that is a friend and ally to all.
References
Cook, N. (2010). Liberia's Post-War Development: Key Issues and U.S. Assistance. Washington, D.C.: US Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service.
Engineer Peacetime Activities. (2000). Retrieved from Global Security: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-114/Ch2.htm
Feickert, A., & Chanlett-Avery, E. (2011). Japan 2011 Earthquake: U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Response. Washington, D.C.: US Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service.
Lum, T. (2008). U.S. Foreign Aid to East and South Asia: Selected Recipients. Washington, D.C.: US Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service.
Lum, T., & Margesson, R. (2013). Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda): U.S. and International Response to Philippines Disaster. Washington, D.C.: US Congressional Research Service.
MacMillian, M. (2009, September 11). Rebuilding the world after the second world war. Retrieved from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/sep/11/second-world-war-rebuilding
Margesson, R., & Taft-Morales, M. (2010). Haiti Earthquake: Crisis and Response. Washington, D.C.: US Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service.
Miscamble, W. (2007). From Roosevelt to Truman: Potsdam, Hiroshima, and the Cold War. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Rice, X. (2009, January 9). US launches anti-piracy naval force to combat hijackings off Somalia. Retrieved from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jan/09/piracy-somalia-us-navy
Roberts, G. (1999). Ideology, calculation, and improvisation: spheres of influence and Soviet foreign policy 1939-1945. Review of International Studies, 25, 655-673.
Seabee History. (2007). Retrieved from Seabee Museum and Memorial Park: http://www.seabeesmuseum.com/History.html
Segal, D., & Sega, M. W. (2004). America's Military Population. Population Bulletin, 59(4), 1-40.
Yates, L. (2006). The US Military's Experience in Stability Operations 1789-2005. Fort Leavenworth: Combat Studies Institute Press.
