Core issues and theory in military sociology

The military has been a fertile source of data to address broad sociologica l theories and problems that cut across several areas of inquiry. Research on the military has contributed to attitude research, small groups, race re lations, social change, the family, professions, and political economy. How ever, missing is a generally accepted core to military sociology, i.e., cen tral issues and theory. This core must be identified and researched so that findings can be accumulated and the field can contribute fully to sociolog y. Candidate issue areas are: (a) the ethos of the military profession, (b) the military as an institution and organization, (c) civil-military relati ons, and (d) military relations with other governmental agencies and milita ries. These issue areas require clarification and more articulated theories that are addressed by empirical research.