THE journalistic domain of the critic is usually thought to be sharply defined. Its boundaries enclose columns of distinctly personal journalism--a book reviewer's appraisal of a new novel or a theater critic's assessment of a new play. But as journalism becomes more and more a craft of analysis and judgment, the distinction between critic and general writer or reporter fades. In this connection, we like to recall a dictum by TIME'S Cinema Critic Stefan Kanfer, who remarked somewhat sweepingly: "All our departments must be critical departments."

And so they are, to the extent that evaluation and judgment are among our most important functions. In that sense, many of our stories "review" the dramas the world presents and the performances of men in the news. This week's cover story attempts far more than a report on the capabilities and limitations of the U.S. military. It contains an analysis of public and political attitudes toward the armed forces, an assessment of military leadership and some suggestions for reform.

Many of the people involved in the writing and editing of the cover story brought a personal expertise to their critical evaluations. Washington Correspondent John Mulliken, who first suggested the story, traces his martial experience back to a tour of duty in Culver Military Academy, from which he graduated in 1940. He won a Silver Star as a platoon leader in The Netherlands during World War II. Since then, journalistic service has taken him to other wars: the Hungarian Revolution, the Congo uprising and Viet Nam. For the past six years, his Washington assignment has kept him close to the long, echoing corridors of the Pentagon. Laurence Barrett, who wrote the cover story, put in three years covering the Pentagon for the New York Herald Tribune. He claims no added skills from his Army career as a private first class. Nor does Senior Editor Ronald Kriss, who served as a specialist three in Korea.

Other sections this week also offer their share of criticism. BEHAVIOR gives little more than a passing grade to a University of California professor's report on genetically determined differences in intelligence. TELEVISION questions the networks' handling of their lively new "magazine" shows. BUSINESS examines the reasons for black frustrations in Detroit auto plants and deplores the violent response of mindless black militants. WORLD discusses the Soviet Union's foreign-policy problems and finds that the Russians have very little room for maneuver. PRESS turns the writer-critic relationship completely around with a critical appraisal of Clive Barnes, dance and drama critic of the New York Times.

The Cover: Dimensional collage by Dennis Wheeler. A yeoman three in the Naval Reserve, Graphics Designer Wheeler chose ribbons* for his symbolic serviceman in khaki that range over four wars--World War I, World War II, Korea and Viet Nam. He is well aware that no one man could have won them all. "Grouped together," he says, "they stand for valor." Carefully examined, they also say something else. Since his cover figure represents a military Establishment under attack, Navy Man Wheeler decided to slip in a nautical signal for trouble. On shipboard, that would be the ensign flying upside down; on the cover, it is two ribbons turned over.

* From left: Top, Purple Heart; 1st row, WWI Victory, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, Middle East Campaign; 2nd row, WWII Occupation, Korean Service, Armed Forces Expeditionary; 3rd row, Armed Forces Reserve, Air Reserve Forces, Meritorious Service, AF NCO Academy Graduate; 4th row, Philippines Liberation, United Nations, Presidential Unit Citation; 5th row, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, AF Outstanding Unit, Viet Nam Campaign.

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