Forging Campaign Quality: Ensuring Adequate Stability Operations Capability within the Modular Army
Abstract
The United States Army is undeniably the world's predominant land combat force. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States has been without a military peer competitor. Although there is concern regarding the increasing power and uncertain intentions of China, the U.S. is likely to remain militarily unmatched for at least the next two decades. American preeminence has had consequences however. Unable to challenge U.S. power conventionally, America's adversaries have compensated by fighting asymmetrically. The ongoing Global War on Terror (GWOT) provides a reasonable prototype for the type of adversary the U.S. Army is most likely to engage in the coming years. This opponent will be weak and therefore will not attack directly. Rather, it will use irregular methods, such as terrorism and insurgency, to attack America and American interests. Most dangerously, these enemies will work to acquire weapons of mass destruction to counter American power. Despite these strategic realities, current Army transformation efforts remain focused on improving capabilities for major combat operations rather than developing others equally vital in today's environment, such as stabilization and reconstruction operations. Although the U.S. Army is currently undergoing the largest comprehensive restructuring since World War II, this restructuring has not truly taken into consideration the implications of the new strategic environment or the requirements of the National Security Strategy or the National Defense Strategy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA508670
Entities
People
- Susan F. Bryant
Organizations
- Marine Corps University