2018年-查塔姆研究所_The_US_Army_in_Transition_10页_178kb

US Army in Transition Summary

Core Content

General Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of Staff of the US Army, discusses the current and future challenges facing the US military, particularly the US Army, in the context of global security and fiscal constraints. The discussion is part of a public event hosted by Chatham House, where Odierno outlines the strategic direction of the Army, emphasizing the need for adaptability, modernization, and a shift in focus towards the Asia-Pacific region.

Main Points

Current Military Engagement

• The US Army is currently engaged in multiple contingency missions globally, with 92,000 soldiers deployed, including 69,000 in Afghanistan and 20,000 in other parts of the Middle East and Korea.
• This engagement is ongoing, even as the Army prepares for future strategic shifts.

Fiscal Constraints

• The US faces a fiscal crisis, both domestically and in Europe, which impacts defense spending.
• The Budget Control Act of 2011 and the President’s decision to reduce DOD spending by $500 billion over ten years are significant factors.
• The Army is reducing its active component size by 80,000 soldiers over five years, with 15,000 already cut.
• Additional cuts may occur if Congress fails to reach an agreement on budget balancing, which could result in a $500 billion reduction in defense spending as early as January 2013.

Strategic Shift

• The US military is shifting its focus to the Asia-Pacific region, though it is not abandoning other areas.
• This shift is part of a broader strategy to prevent, shape, and win in the future.
• The Army is working to re-engage with key partners in the Asia-Pacific, including Australia, and is moving towards a rotational force concept to build relationships and conduct joint exercises.

Military Art and Modernization

• The military art is evolving, with cyberspace becoming a new global commons alongside land, sea, and air.
• The Army is adapting to this change by developing new forms of maneuver, such as information operations and cyber operations.
• The force mix is a complex issue, involving conventional and special operations forces, as well as active, reserve, and National Guard components.

Leader Development

• Odierno emphasizes the need to adapt leader development programs to include broader skills such as cultural, political, economic, and military awareness.
• This is necessary to prepare leaders for increasingly complex and interconnected environments.

Civil-Military Coordination

• The importance of civil-military cooperation is highlighted, with the Army working in a JIIM (Joint, Inter-governmental, Inter-agency, Multinational) environment.
• All operations should involve interagency collaboration, including the State Department, Treasury, Justice, and other agencies.

Training and Technology

• The Army is moving towards integrated training environments, combining live, virtual, and constructive methods.
• This approach is cost-effective and realistic, allowing for multi-national participation without the need for physical travel.
• The Army is also focusing on network modernization, leveraging civilian technology to improve communication and decision-making capabilities.

Key Information

• The US Army is reducing its size due to budget cuts, but is also increasing its special operations and cyber capabilities.
• The Asia-Pacific region is becoming a strategic priority, with the Army aiming to build stronger partnerships and rotate forces to maintain presence.
• Cyberspace is now considered a critical domain for military operations, and the Army is adapting to this new reality.
• Leaders must be versatile and adaptable, capable of operating in a multi-dimensional security environment.
• The future force must have depth and versatility to respond to a wide range of threats and missions, from humanitarian assistance to counter-terrorism.
• The Army is rethinking its procurement strategies to integrate new technologies more effectively and reduce costs.