Shot Heard Round the World Reconsidered: Examining the Battles of Lexington and Concord through Air Force ROTC Cadet Decision Making

Authors

Bradley Podliska, Air UniversityFollow

Volume Number

51

Issue Number

1

Abstract

This study examines Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadet conflict initiation and escalation decision making in offering a new perspective on civil-military relations. Using survey data collected from these future Air Force officers, I analyze British and Colonial decisions at seven crisis points in the events leading up to and during the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The cadets, simulating British decisions, did not want to conduct the Concord expedition, and they were only confident when de-escalating. The cadets, however, simulating Colonial commander decisions escalated at two crisis points with confidence and despite the danger. The results demonstrate that the type of military mission, the background of a leader, and a leader’s confidence and perception of danger and opponent power are factors in military decisions at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels.

Recommended Citation

Podliska, Bradley (2023) "Shot Heard Round the World Reconsidered: Examining the Battles of Lexington and Concord through Air Force ROTC Cadet Decision Making," Journal of Political Science: Vol. 51: No. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/jops/vol51/iss1/4