Mullen said civilian agencies including the State Department deserve more money and support, because they can often do a better job of projecting American policy and ideas. It's tempting to turn first to the can-do military when problems arise, but Mullen said that the experience of the Vietnam War gives him "an acute understanding of the finite application of force abroad, as well as its impact at home."
Mullen did not mention more recent conflicts, such as the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, although top military leaders have said both will be resolved mostly through political settlements.
"When called, our military has served the role of ambassador extremely well," Mullen told a Nixon Center audience.
"But our most effective ambassadors of peace in the future will not be those who wear uniforms, or bear arms. They will be our civilians."
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