This paper analyzes how veterans in the American policy-making elite influence military decision making during Cold War and beyond.

Context & Data: Examines U.S. involvement in militarized interstate disputes from 1816 to 1992, analyzing data on veteran representation in executive branch and legislature.

Findings: Higher veteran percentages correlate with lower likelihood of initiating military conflicts but greater escalation once conflict begins. Veterans align more closely with officers than civilians regarding force usage.

Why It Matters: This research quantifies how civilian-military opinion gaps, particularly among veterans serving in government roles, shape U.S. foreign policy and military interventions.