The article deals with the complex of issues of civil society influence on the formation and activity of the Armed Forces of the state. Based on practical examples, the author considers the specifics of the professionalization of the army in Latin America, draws Parallels with the Russian Federation. An important common feature of Russia and Latin America, the author believes hypertrophied public attention to the Armed Forces. In the Latin American States, which no one is going to attack, the army is perceived as a symbol of statehood, the value of the guarantee of its sovereignty, it is exalted, the officer corps is respected. In the Russian Federation, civil society is critical of the growth of defense spending, advocates a complete transition to a professional army.