Directions for Defense. Report of the Commission on Roles and Missions of the Armed Forces.
Abstract
The central purpose of the Department of Defense is to conduct effective military operations in pursuit of America's National Security Strategy. The central message for DOD from the Commission on Roles and Missions of the Armed Forces is in the 21st century, every DOD element must focus on supporting the operations of the Unified Commanders in Chief (CINCs). Everything else DOD does - from furnishing health care to developing new weapons - should support that effort. The recommendations made throughout our report seek to concentrate all of DOD's activities toward that end. In establishing the Commission on Roles and Missions of the Armed Forces, Congress told us to "review . . . the appropriateness . . . of the current allocations of roles, missions, and functions among the Armed Forces; evaluate and report on alternative allocations; and make recommendations for changes in the current definition and distribution of those roles, missions, and functions." Our view of the future gives urgency to this effort. If America's experience since the end of the Cold War is instructive, America's future will be marked by rapid change, diverse contingencies, limited budgets, and a broad range of missions to support evolving national security policies. Providing military capabilities that operate effectively together to meet future challenges is the common purpose of the military departments, the Services, the defense agencies, and other DOD elements. All must focus on DOD's real product - effective military operations. (MM)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 24, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA295228