Abstract: As the DoD has evolved in the post-Cold War environment, Goldwater-Nichols has created unintended consequences. It has resulted in a focus on military integration, but failing to develop a corresponding focus on incorporating all the elements of national power has delayed us from achieving true integration of all the pillars of national security. It has also led to an unsophisticated interpretation of jointness that drives some to seek homogeneity among the services, while others use ?jointness? as an excuse to seek participation in every possible mission. This has led some services to seek self-sufficiency rather than synergy -- and to the degree they have been allowed to do so has actually resulted in divergence from the tenets of Goldwater-Nichols by some as they replicate other services -- core competencies. It is time for an honest and comprehensive review of service roles and missions using interdependence as the new benchmark. Beyond service roles and missions, we have the capability to create incredible synergy by embracing jointness across all the elements of national power. Accordingly, it is time to also conduct a fundamental review of our entire national security establishment leading to an appropriate restructure. Building on the reviews and recommendations of the USCNS/21 and B-GN efforts, the next administration should seize the opportunity presented by the 2009 Quadrennial Defense Review and expand it beyond the DoD. More importantly, it's time for less study and more action. Such a restructure will undoubtedly prove difficult to implement. Regardless, we must seek fundamental change in our national security architecture if we are to succeed in meeting the security challenges that the future will bring to our nation.
| Limitations: |
 APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE |
| Description: |
Journal article |
| Pages: |
14 |
| Report Date: |
Jan-2007 |
| Report Number: |
A984015 |
|
|
|
|
Keywords relating to this report:
