Defense Strategy and Forces: Setting Future Directions
Abstract
The purpose of this workshop is to provide a collegial forum for a small and select group of defense strategists and force planners to formulate and recommend strategic and force choices for the future. The nation is in the sixth year of war since 9/11. The FY 2008 Defense budget request of $481.4 billion and the Global War on Terror request of $141.7 billion, if approved, will represent the tenth year of robust growth in defense spending since its low point in the late 1990s. Even given these resource levels, the Department of Defense faces significant strategic and force choices as it attempts to deal with today's realities and prepare for future challenges. Today's realities include the war on terrorism; stability and reconstruction operations in Iraq and Afghanistan; significant OPTEMPO, PERSTEMPO, readiness, and quality of life issues; and the costs of resetting and recapitalizing the forces, among others. Future challenges include the attention given to irregular, catastrophic, and disruptive, as well as traditional, challenges; new operational concepts; force structure and end strength choices; active and reserve component realignments; R&D, modernization, and procurement bow waves; the reorientation of U.S. global defense posture; and joint and interagency unity of effort. This workshop addresses security challenges and strategy; defense resources and risks; land, maritime, air, space, and special operations forces; and joint interagency efforts. The primary focus is on strategic and force choices for the future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 15, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA530879
Entities
People
- Richmond M. Lloyd
- William B. Ruger
Organizations
- Naval War College