a person who believes that military might should supplant diplomacy and humanitarianism as the first principle of American foreign policy, yet are loathe to be in the military or actually fight for these principles themselves

a person who calls upon others to fight and die at their command to protect their beliefs and interests while they themselves avoid military service

a person who is gungho war, thinks it the only answer, but declined to serve themselves

a subjective political epithet to describe a politician, bureaucrat, or commentator who votes for war, supports war, commands a war, or develops war policy, but has not personally served in the military

a term for those who advocate war, but are quick to run when it calls on personal sacrifices

Chickenhawk is Robert Mason's narrative of his experiences as a UH-1 helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. The book chronicles his enlistment, flight training, deployment to and experiences in Vietnam, and his experiences after returning from the war.