Collective action in the armed forces of the United States.

Abstract

growing need among service personnel to take collective action to protect their social and economic status appears to have developed during the last decade. Past studies of this phenomenon have been, for the most part, limited to examining one means by which collective action can be achieved — military unions. This paper takes a broader look at collective action in the military by examining the two basic types of military collective action groups -- military associations and military unions. Social, economic, legal, and attitudinal factors which will determine the direction and shape the means of military collective action are considered. It is concluded that military associations and military unions are both capable of effectively fulfilling the collective action needs of military personnel -- each having unique advantages and disadvantages. Circumstances appear to mitigate against military unionism at this time (e.g., the present national mood against military unions). Therefore, military associations appear to be a more viable alternative for collective action.