|
Jordan THE MILITARY IN NATIONAL LIFE
Among the various social, economic, and political institutions
affecting Jordanian national life, none--with the exceptions of the
monarchy itself and the Muslim religion--has been more pervasive
than the presence and power of the armed forces. This condition has
persisted since the formation of the first military units early in
the country's political evolution. Soon after becoming king in
1953, Hussein remarked that "everywhere I go in Jordan I find the
Arab Legion doing everything." Throughout Hussein's reign, the
armed forces have been an indispensable instrument for the
protection of the monarchy. The government has periodically turned
to the army to prevent internal disruption and to maintain law and
order. The loyalty of the army during periods of stress has
permitted the king latitude in the conduct of foreign policy by
offsetting domestic constraints on his actions.
The king spent eight months at the British Royal Military
Academy at Sandhurst at age sixteen, soon after ascending the
throne. He continued to take a close interest in military affairs,
cultivating the armed forces and identifying himself with the
performance of their national security mission. A number of foreign
observers and knowledgeable Jordanians have testified that Hussein
was seldom as relaxed or as filled with confidence as when he
visited his military units, attired in suitable uniform. Hussein
made frequent visits to army units where he knew many of the
officers by name. Even privates felt they might approach the king
directly, often tugging at his sleeve for attention. The empathy
that existed between him and his troops was enhanced by his
fascination for modern weapons, such as jet aircraft, tanks,
self-propelled artillery, and missiles. The king was a qualified
pilot who often personally tested new planes. He made the final
decision on equipment acquisitions and other matters affecting the
modernization of the military establishment.
Since the 1957 coup attempt, the armed forces have conducted
themselves in a professional manner, accepting their subordination
to civil legal authority. No officer caste has developed with
ambitions to interfere with or dominate the government, although
the king has called upon trusted individual officers to serve in
important civilian posts. The continued acceptance by the military
of Hussein's political and religious legitimacy has been a
foundation stone of national stability. Authorities on Jordanian
politics believed that, in the event of the king's death, the army
would act to guarantee the legitimate Hashimite succession
(see Jordan - The King
, ch. 4).
The consensual relationship between the state and the army was
cemented by the privileges and economic benefits accruing to the
career military. This situation was particularly true for the
bedouin constituency, which felt a special affinity to the throne.
Its powers and privileges were unlikely to survive if the monarchy
were replaced by a Palestinian-controlled government. Even soldiers
of Palestinian origin perceived a greater certainty of their status
under Hussein than under any regime that might replace his. During
the civil war in 1970 and 1971, units staffed exclusively with
Palestinians showed no hesitancy in mounting assaults on the
Palestinian guerrillas.
Key officers and senior NCOs continued to be disproportionately
of bedouin background in the mid- to late 1980s. A considerable
number of Palestinian officers had always been present, although
they were more heavily represented in the technical units such as
signals and engineering, and they did not often rise above
battalion-level command in the main combat units. The social
composition was changing, however, as a higher proportion of
recruits originated from nontribal sectors. Younger personnel,
although better educated and more cosmopolitan, were less imbued
with the zealous loyalty of the past. As the army modernized and
became more professional, the tribal basis of support for the king
was a diminishing factor. Nevertheless, the army had become a
valuable adjunct to Hussein's efforts to foster a sense of national
character and patriotism. As changes in structure took place both
within the military and in civilian society, it was difficult to
foresee how these would ultimately affect the intimate relationship
between the king and his soldiers. Observers predicted, however,
that the political reliability of the Jordan Arab Army would remain
intact through the 1990s.
In addition to their basic security role, the armed forces have
participated in a variety of civic action programs designed to
benefit the country's development efforts--projects that at the
same time have enhanced the public image of the military. Public
services by the armed forces have included such major items as
bridge and road construction and disaster relief, organized
campaigns against locust infestation, and such lesser actions as
repair of wells and rescue of people lost or stranded in the
country's vast desert region.
Technical skills learned in the service eased the transition to
civilian life. Persons with army or air force training in
mechanics, electronics, or engineering were looked upon as
technically proficient, disciplined additions to the civilian work
force. The military was, moreover, a channel for upward mobility.
It was one of the few institutions in the country that provided a
means for those from the lower strata of society to embark on a
respected career and earn a measure of personal prestige.
Data as of December 1989
|
