ACNSL
Guiding
Principles
The ACNSL is dedicated to promoting national security by providing a source of commentary and advice to national security practitioners. Our members continue their service in support of their oaths to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. The College is organized to provide the Commander-in-Chief, the United States Government and the people of the United States, sound, fact-based advice on national security issues. The College will participate in the broader national security dialogue from a nonpartisan perspective, based on civil discourse, and respecting the opinions and dissenting views of its membership. The words, actions, and goals of the ACNSL will be shaped by these Guiding Principles:
The U.S. is best served by a strong, modern, technologically superior, and effective joint force as part of its overall national security posture.
The U.S. is strengthened by the responsible and rational use of all elements of national power to achieve our national objectives.
Our Nation’s core values and principles are upheld by employment of its military forces in accordance with the law of war, the Geneva Convention, the ethical treatment of non-combatants and the prohibition against the use of torture.
The U.S. can only achieve its national security objectives when sufficient investments are made in our diplomatic, intelligence, cyberspace, and military programs; the investments must include modernization and superior technology; and the investments must provide for the acquisition, education, training, and sustainment of the diplomatic, intelligence, cyberspace, and military workforce.
The U.S. is most successful when it maintains a robust and viable global security posture, underpinned by strong international alliances and partnerships, and acting in concert with key allies and partners whenever possible.
The U.S. relies on a credible nuclear deterrent capability, strengthened by maintenance of international standards on control of fissile materials and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology and weapons of mass destruction.
Our military is stronger because of its diversity, and we must adopt and maintain policies that provide equal opportunity based on individual ability and without discrimination or discouragement toward any person based upon gender, gender identification, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, or religion.
Our military families are an essential source of strength for our Armed Forces, and the U.S. must pursue policies that support military spouses and families of all kinds to provide the medical, financial, and emotional support necessary to sustain our service members.
Violence and sexual assault within our military and foreign services violate our collective responsibility to those who serve, and they undermine our effectiveness. Policies for (1) the prevention of violence, sexual harassment, bullying and assault; (2) the protection and care of victims; and (3) the effective prosecution of perpetrators, irrespective of rank or position, reflect our commitment to our service members and those who serve in our diplomatic and intelligence communities.
The U.S. has a sacred duty to our veterans and must maintain effective policies for their care and to provide exemplary services to each and every one. Their physical and emotional well-being must be provided for with directness, simplicity, and alacrity of benefits.
The U.S. benefits from responsible environmental stewardship and from policies that effectively address the risks to national security, at home and internationally, posed by climate change.
U.S. national security is dependent upon adherence to the U.S. Constitution and to the rule of law, domestic and international, a democratically elected government through a fair and open election in all states, accompanied by a peaceful transition of power, independent courts of law and administration of justice, and civilian control of the military. (No. 12 was adopted 01 June 2022).