From Cradle to Save: Revolutionary Acquisition Force Structure Alternatives for the 21st Century
Abstract
Military strategists depict a future characterized by the uncertainty of when and where conflicts will emerge -- requiring that U.S. forces be prepared to engage worldwide with leading-edge technologies. This challenge cannot be met without a revolutionary change in the present acquisition force structure. The services have the tools in hand to meet this challenge; will the Department of Defense be able to make the needed changes? This article lays out a path ahead toward an "acquisition renaissance." First, however, the author discusses the present state of acquisition reform and the status of operational experimentation programs. Next, three alternative acquisition force structures are presented that exhibit varying degrees of coupling between the acquisition and operational communities. The advantages and disadvantages of each alternative are examined and a recommendation is made as to the optimum acquisition force structure to pursue. The discussion will occur exclusively at the strategic level with the purpose being to challenge the reader to seriously think through the opportunity for revolutionary change in the U.S. defense acquisition system. The fine details of the ensuing interagency, interservice, and cross-community changes and implications would be an interesting subject of a much more detailed study.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA487804
Entities
People
- Craig Olson
Organizations
- United States Secretary of the Air Force