Challenges facing the military

The military is facing many challenges. The three most dominant challenges we face are the current OPTEMPO level, the composition of the future force, and personnel. Each of these challenges leads to choices and assumption of risk. We must make the right choices now to prepare for the future and ensure the security of the United States of America.

The current OPTEMPO level of the United States military is unsustainable. The Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) which are the pointy end of our nation’s military might are either deployed in the global war on terrorism, resetting equipment and personnel following a deployment, or training for an upcoming deployment. The Army is stretched to its maximum capacity. The global war on terrorism (GWOT) is by nature an ideological struggle; a struggle between the values of the west (freedom, equality, and democracy) against the values of radical Islam. This ideological struggle will not be won in one battle or engagement but will continue across the globe for a long time. The GWOT has been termed the ‘long war’. Although the GWOT is the current conflict there are other possible threats looming on the horizon. The rise of China and the resurgence of Russia both present threats to our national security. The first choice that the Army faces is a choice in training. The counterinsurgency (COIN) skills required in Iraq and Afghanistan are different than the major theater of war (MTW) skills that will be required in a conflict with either China or Russia. The Army can either choose to train COIN skills, MTW skills, or a blend of both. Due to the current OPTEMPO level, the time available for training does not allow for a unit to be competent in both COIN and MTW. The skill set and mental attitude associated with COIN may also be incompatible with the skills required for a MTW conflict. Currently the Army is training the deploying BCTs exclusively on the COIN skills that will be required during their immediate upcoming assignment in the GWOT. We are assuming risk as a military; the current force will be unable to fight MTW should the need arise against China or Russia.

The next challenge facing the military is the composition of the future force. . The US military has traditionally dominated the battlespace through technology. Advanced main battle tanks, high-tech air superiority fighters, stealth bombers, smart bombs, and intelligence satellites are just a few of the technological tools that have given the US military a huge advantage against other nations. However, the current fight in the GWOT requires a low-tech infantry-centric force. Infantry soldiers are the only tool that can occupy land, interface with the populace, meet with local leaders, and root out the insurgents. As mentioned before, the rise of China and the resurgence of Russia require a different force structure. The military must be a more equipment-centric technological force to defeat those adversaries. If we assume that Department of Defense budgets will not increase and may even decrease over time a choice must be made between people and equipment. The Crusader, Comanche, and many other weapon systems have already been cut due to budgetary constraint. There is discussion that the F22 Raptor and Future Combat System (FCS) programs may also cut. Our leadership is assuming risk through these budgetary choices for the composition of the future force.

The final challenge our military faces is personnel. Retention and recruitment of officers and enlisted soldiers has become difficult for the Army. From a recruitment perspective, we are accepting incoming soldiers with lower test scores, less education, and we are even accepting convicted felons. On the retention side, the Army continues to pay huge re-enlistment bonuses to soldiers and even extended bonuses to officers for the first time. The basic problem can be summed up in the phrase, “The military is at war; America is at the mall.” Contrast this with the message JFK gave the American people, “It’s not what your country can do for you; it’s what you can do for your country.” The American public supports the soldier but does not support the war. This support of the soldier is more support in word than in deed. The American public will put a yellow ribbon magnet on their SUV but discourage their children from enlisting in the military. The urgency felt by America after the attacks on 9/11 has faded. The all-volunteer force draws from society and if society feels no urgency recruitment difficulties will continue. Our nation and military must re-energize the American public in the important of the GWOT and the importance of service to the nation or return to a draft army to meet the military’s needs.

The three most dominant challenges the military currently faces are the current OPTEMPO level, the composition of the future force, and personnel. The future of the United States of America and our success in the global war of terrorism depend on the choices we make regarding these challenges.