One Big Union

Into the library hush of the quasi-official U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, an admiral tossed a small bomb with a big bang. The Admiral: sharp-minded Rear Admiral Harry Ervin Yarnell, 67, formerly in command of the Asiatic Fleet, called from retirement in June to active duty in the office of COM INCH Admiral Ernest J. King. The bomb: a well-weighed proposal that the U.S. combine Army, Navy and air forces into a single, unified Department of War.

Similar proposals have been made from time to time, but Admiral Yarnell's plan lias both scope and authority. He sees consolidation as the logical course after demobilization. He points out the unhappy position of aviation between the two stools of Army and Navy in the present setup. Says he: "Air power has become a determining factor in military operations . . . [yet] there have been cases . . . where naval air operations were directed by commanders with no aviation experience." Then he leapfrogs the separate-air-force zealots by recalling the "lamentable failure" of the R.A.F. "in its support of naval and military operations" early in the war.

Naturally an independent force tends to follow its own course: "It is reluctant to work with or share its responsibility with other organizations." Yarnell's solution is simple: "Since the basic principle of success in war is unity of command under leaders trained in, and selected for, their knowledge and skill in the use of all arms, it seems logical that there should be the same unity in the General Staffs."

Yarnell's Department of War would have a civilian head, presumably a Cabinet member. A military man would be chief of staff, heading two main divisions: Operations and Material. Operations would be charged with procurement, training and war operations of Army, Navy and Air. Its chief would be commander in chief of all forces in time of war.* Material would handle supply for all three branches; its officers would come from the leading technical colleges, make design and supply their life work.

For Operations officers there would be a single academy, a single list, with promotion by selection rather than seniority. All student officers would get the same basic training, including solo flying.

Such a plan, argues Admiral Yarnell, would afford the greatest efficiency and flexibility in "maintaining the peacetime military force in a state of readiness for future contingencies," in fighting a modern war in which "land, sea and air forces must work together as one machine."

*Whether or not displacing the command of the President, as defined in the Constitution, Admiral Yarnell does not say.

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