Bacevich’s ten principles for reducing U.S. tendencies toward militarism:

1. Pay attention to the nation’s founders,
2. Bolster the separation of powers,
3. Treat the use of armed force solely as a last resort,
4. Strengthen U.S. self-sufficiency,
5. Emphasize national defense,
6. Control defense spending,
7. Use more soft power,
8. Emphasize citizen-soldiers,
9. Use the National Guard and reserves properly, and
10. Improve U.S. civil-military relations.