Institute of Politics

IOP Pritzker Fellow Alex Wagner on "Suits vs. Stars: The Delicate Civilian-Military Balance of Power" THIS SEMINAR IS OPEN TO CURRENT UCHICAGO STUDENTS ONLY Thursday, October 16 12:30-1:45pm “Why aren’t you wearing a uniform?” This question gets asked of some of the most senior civilian Defense Department officials on a regular basis and underscores an important concept: from the President on down, civilians run the military and the national security decision-making process. But while civilians are authorized to control applications of force, how does that actually work when generals have all the prestige and expertise? We'll decode the confusing alphabet soup of Pentagon leadership: What are the different responsibilities of the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs? What should civilian leaders do when provided “best military advice” and what goes on in "The Tank" - the secretive room where top military leaders meet? This seminar will help you understand who really calls the shots in the world's most powerful military. Special Guest: The Honorable Eric Fanning, 22nd Secretary of the Army Pritzker Fellows seminars are off the record and open to current UChicago students only. Seating in the IOP Living Room is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact Ella Kumano-Maloney (ikmaloney@uchicago.edu).