Revolt of The Admirals - Continuing Effects

Continuing Effects

The "Revolt of the Admirals" opened the discussion, still ongoing, in the American military establishment about the role of nuclear weapons, strategic bombing, and the need for unification of military command while at the same time questioning the team roles of each service as a separate entity.

The first test of national doctrine came on 25 June 1950 when the Korean War broke out, and the national command authority decided that nuclear strategic bombing would not be used to defeat North Korea—rather, the use of conventional ground forces, supported by naval assets along with amphibious assault, would be used to engage North Korea—DPRK armed forces. The Korean War was then deemed to be a limited war and dismissed as an aberration by supporters of the air force doctrine in view of a greater threat from the (now former) Soviet Union. Recent history has demonstrated limited conflicts to be the norm, without the use of all out nuclear strategic bombing as envisaged in the air force scenario. The Korean War did reinforce the lessons of World War II, which held carriers to be a primary force asset to support American foreign policy. After the North Korean attack began, Secretary Johnson promised the navy that it would have its new aircraft "supercarrier". Air force and navy historians continue to advocate the positions held by their respective sides during the "Revolt of the Admirals".