An ethnographic research in the military field: Rethinking academic autonomy in the study of the exodus of junior military personnel in Argentina

Abstract

I have tried to show that the conditions required for the autonomy ofethnographic research are not an a priori, but instead derive from both intellectualmethods and emotional exercises linked to the fieldwork situations. Eventhose researches conducted from universities or centers entirely independentfrom state agencies can be incapable of formulating distanced concerns. Ourresearch on the military profession aimed at gaining knowledge to better orientateits policies. We did not, however, confine the object of inquiry to the questions,issues and goals set by the Ministry authorities, but also concernedourselves with thoroughly knowing the daily operations of the armed forces.