Before Lyndon Johnson made the decision to increase American involvement in the Vietnam conflict, he had received written recommendations from the National Security Council and US leaders. joint staff. These documents are essential to understanding Johnson's decision, but they represent only part of the decision-making process. Although well-written and thoughtful position papers can make a compelling argument, they are not the most important factor in decision-making. The most important factor in decision making is the decision maker's schema. Using various tools can provide insight into how Johnson made his decision. Allison's three decision-making models are all useful in painting a picture and trying to understand why Johnson decided to increase America's military role in the Vietnam War. Each model can provide an additional layer of information that, combined with an analysis of Johnson's diagram, can help explain why Johnson made the decision he did. Allison's Model I, The Rational Actor, is a good starting point for analysis. This template provides a first overview of the stated “goals and objectives”. These stated goals can provide insight into what policymakers and advocates consider important. The position of the executive committee specifies the objectives. First, "...withdrawn North Vietnamese (DRY) support and leadership from South Vietnam..." Second, "Restore an independent and secure South Vietnam..." Finally, "Maintain the security of other non-communist nations in Asia from the South-East…”. Although Model I illustrates the stated goals and objectives, it does not give the complete picture. As Allison explains, it neglects to take bounded rationality into account. The...... middle of document......8.White House Executive Committee, “Position Paper on Southeast Asia” December 2, 1964 (School of Advance Warfighting 7190 Writing Assignment Reader) 17. Quoted above later as White House, “Position Paper on Southeast Asia” White House, “Position Paper on Southeast Asia” 17White House, “Position Paper on South Asia -East” 17Allison, 20Allison, 145Joint Chiefs of Staff, JCSM-982-64 “Memorandum Concerning Plans of Action in Southeast Asia,” November 23, 1964 (School of Advance Warfighting 7190 Writing Assignment Reader) 15 Cited herein as JCSM-982-64 “Memorandum Concerning Courses of Action in Southeast Asia National Security Council Working Group “Courses of Action in Southeast Asia” November 12, 1964. (School of Advance Warfighting 7190 Writing Assignment Reader) JCSM-982-64 “Memorandum Concerning Action Plans in Southeast Asia, 17.Allison, p. 264