Center For Military Readiness is an independent public policy organization specializing in military/social issues.
Mission Statement
The Center for Military Readiness is an independent, non-partisan, public policy organization with a unique mission: reporting on and analyzing military/social issues. CMR promotes high standards and sound priorities in the making of military personnel policies and takes the lead in defending elements of military culture that are essential for morale and readiness in the All-Volunteer Force.
Center For Military Readiness Website
Founding Principles of the Center for Military Readiness
In addressing contemporary policies that affect morale and readiness in America’s armed forces, CMR recognizes the following realities and guiding principles:
- “Peace Through Strength,” the philosophy of President Ronald Reagan, requires strong military forces that are fully trained, equipped, focused, and ready to deter or defeat any adversary.
- Sound personnel policies are as crucial as advanced weapons systems in preserving readiness and a strong national defense.
- Intangible qualities of a strong military culture, which cannot be taken for granted, must be taught and constantly reinforced in all branches of the armed forces.
- Equal opportunity is important, but if there is a conflict between career considerations and military necessity, the needs of the military — and of the nation — must come first.
- A strong All-Volunteer Force depends on well-trained, cohesive units that are ready for deployment worldwide on short notice. With fewer troops, squadrons, and ships available, each person in uniform is more important to the mission, not less so.
- Sound personnel policies should be based on empirical evidence, reality, and actual experience, not sociological theories rooted in flawed ideology and political correctness.
- High, uncompromised training standards reinforce essential elements of military culture, such as courage, integrity, selflessness, and team cohesion, meaning mutual bonds of trust on which survival and mission accomplishment depend.
- As President Harry Truman directed in 1948, the military should prohibit unlawful discrimination and recognize individual merit, without demographic percentage-based “diversity metrics,” another name for “quotas.”
- Regulations governing personal conduct should encourage discipline rather than indiscipline, and apply 24/7, on- and off-base, on- and off-duty, for as long as a person remains in military service.
- The concept of civilian control of the military requires awareness and involvement of civilians in matters of policy affecting the armed forces.
The Center for Military Readiness will continue to support our brave military men and women by reporting, analyzing, and defending the cultural integrity of the institution in which they serve.
CMR President Elaine Donnelly
Following her year-long service as a member of the 1992 Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces, Elaine Donnelly founded the Center for Military Readiness to stay current on the issues and recommendations of the commission. At the time there was no organization formed to concentrate on major issues that arise at the intersection of social issues and national defense. Donnelly established CMR as a unique alliance of civilian, active-duty and retired military people who understand, respect, and defend the institutional culture of the military, including core values that make the American armed forces the finest in the world. More information about Elaine Donnelly and her leadership of CMR is available here.
Contact CMR
Center for Military Readiness
P. O. Box 51600
Livonia, Michigan 48151
Members of the military may communicate with CMR through our Confidential Contact system
