The Enigmatic History of Sociology at the United States Naval Academy

Abstract

Since its inception in 1845, the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, has often faced the challenge of balancing technical and professional training demands of the naval service against the social and cultural conditions of an increasingly complex world. Despite the institution's attempts to address the multiple demands of the social and military contexts, the study of behavioral science in general, and sociology in particular, has been until recently largely absent. In response to challenges and deficiencies associated with its educational program, the Naval Academy has undertaken a path of reform to balance professional training with the need to educate graduates as competent and effective leaders. This article addresses some of the institutional, organizational, and curricular changes at the Naval Academy, with a focus on the inclusion and development of courses in human behavior and sociology as a means to study this process of leadership education.

Sociology in Military Officer Education

“…Naval Academy at Annapolis, traditional sociological topics such as "cohesion," "deviance," and "attitudes" are taught in leadership studies. 60 In Canada, Pinch and Ouellet report that social issues such as gender and race/ethnicity are enveloped into psychology and management courses and often lack any critically focused questions. 61 At West Point, junior cadets are often trained by senior cadets in barracks-taught workshops on topics such as socialization, sexual harassment, diversity, gender objectification, prejudice, deviance, and other traditional contemporary social problems issues with only marginal or no affiliation with the academic curriculum.…”

“…Naval Academy. 66 Similarly, the Dutch, Japanese, and South African military academies report increases in legitimacy, research, and teaching in and around sociology. Of note and leading the way is a staple course in military sociology at many of these academies that provides a number of lessons and hours in the sociology of war, the relationship between the armed forces and society, as well as a sociology of the military that covers such topics as diversity, personnel issues and the demographics of the forces, and families among others.…”