Campaigning for Change: Organizational Processes, Governmental Politics, and the Revolution in Military Affairs,
Abstract
The 199Os have ushered in an era of rapid change, both in America's employment of its military forces and in its sense of its defense needs for the next century. A revolution in military affairs (RMA) looms: some observers claim that Desert Storm's strategic air campaign heralded advances in technology and doctrine that will fundamentally reshape future warfare. Today, the RMA is an explicitly stated goal, enjoying the full support of Secretary of Defense William Cohen. However, its successful implementation is not foreordained. Similarly, there was no guarantee that a single air commander would direct the Desert Storm air campaign, despite the concept's endorsement by senior leaders. The reasons for this gap between stated policy and certain implementation are twofold. First, just as the air campaign's organizational enabler, the unified air commander, was not ingrained in military doctrine and practice prior to Desert Storm, neither is the RMA guaranteed to take hold throughout today's defense organizations. Second, unless the rational basis for the strategy is translated into an overarching vision, the RMA faces obstacles in the form of powerful, change-resistant bureaucratic forces.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA356662
Entities
People
- Kathleen M. Conley
Organizations
- Air University