I noticed this NYT article a few days ago but did not read it beyond the headline and first paragraph:

When Troops Need More Than Knowledge of War

A dozen students sit at long white tables, some intently scribbling
notes, some with that glazed-over expression that greets so many
professors trying to impart obscure knowledge. In this way, the night
class in Eastern philosophy here at McGuire Air Force Base is similar
to many college courses being taught around the country.      

But
the students here are officers and enlisted men and women of the United
States Air Force who could be called into action at any time. And the
class is part of the Air Force’s push to prepare its troops better for
service in the Middle East and Asia by offering instruction in foreign
languages, history, philosophy and sociology that focuses on the
cultures and populations they will encounter.

 I assumed it was going to focus on the Middle East, where the US military is now so deeply ensnared, with perhaps a little Sun Tzu thrown in for the Chinese side of things.   The Art of War is a staple at virtually all US military schools these days, so I did not stick with the story, letting my assumptions get the better of me.

      So, imagine my surprise today when I randomly returned (in the manner Google allows) to the story to find this passage:

With classes in Arabic, Islam, comparative religions and East Asian
history, among others, McGuire hopes to provide active-duty troops with
tools to help them during battle but also beyond, said Linda
Richardson, director of education and training at the base.

“It’s
been eye-opening,” said Staff Sgt. Adam Crepeau, an aircraft
maintenance instructor and a student in the Eastern philosophy course
who is pursuing a degree in human resources. “The more knowledge I have
about different cultures, the better.”

While learning the
difference between Taoism and Confucianism, the subject of a recent
evening’s lecture, may seem of little practical use in war, Sergeant
Crepeau said he could have used some of what he was learning in the
course, which is provided by Burlington, during his four-month tour in
Iraq last year.

       What might be useful for a military man or woman in the distinction between Confucianism and Taoism?  Of course, I believe that studying these philosophies is useful for everybody everywhere, but I am not in the business of training the military.  Sun Tzu?  Sure, that is obviously useful for a military education, as are the other Chinese military classics.  And a thorough study of Chinese history has much to contribute to military knowledge.  But Confucianism and Taoism?

       This is not the same as learning about Islam for troops in the Middle East.  Islam is a major part of the actual day-to-day life in that part of the world.  You need to know its language and ideas and customs if you are going to move through many Middle Eastern societies, for whatever purpose.  The same cannot be said for Confucianism and Taoism.  Those are not major elements of actually existing contemporary Chinese culture, as far as I can see.   

      The traumas of twentieth century, and especially the early years of the PRC (the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution), did much to undermine the old Confucian basis of Chinese society.  Yes, there are still cultural expectations about children respecting elders, but, in major urban areas in particular, these are honored very much in the breach.  When we add in the effects of the one-child policy, the explosion of spoiled single children, Confucian sensibilities are turned on their head. 

     And Taoism?  While many Chinese read and appreciate the Taoist classics, how many of them would consider themselves Taoist?  What percentage of the population?  The hyper-competitive capitalism that currently dominates the economy and society and culture simply overwhelms Taoist ideals.

      Or am I too pessimistic?  Is China, in any significant social sense, now culturally "Confucian" or "Taoist"?

      In any event, what will a military man or woman learn if he or she seriously studies Confucianism and Taoism?  He or she will learn that military action is almost always morally wrong and politically disastrous.  He or she will learn that "auspicious weapons are tools or misfortune" (Tao Te Ching) or that war itself is not worthy of study (Confucius).  He or she will encounter some of the most powerfully pacifist philosophies around. 

      Maybe that would be useful for the American military to learn….