White Papers - 2025. Volume 4. Special Studies.
Abstract
The fundamental purpose of all organisms and organizations is to survive and prosper. Anything that impairs one's ability to do so is a threat. Traditionally, military services have focused on threats to the nation and on potential adversaries in the next war. But while these are the focus of military planning, they are not the only-or the most important-threats to a military service or a nation's armed forces. There are many others, internal as well as external (e.g., political, economic, social, technological, and military). And the biggest threats may occur in peace, not war: It is the military preparedness and the superiority gained in peace that will spell victory in war. The relentless competition for more or better weapons, improved doctrines, and winning strategies may be the real competition, with war a form of public validation of peacetime realities. Given the increasing costs, lead times, and consequences of decisions about how to organize, train, equip, and fight in the future, we should take as much care in peace as we do in war regarding the security of both the service and the nation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA319865
Entities
Organizations
- Air University