The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) has released the 2015 National Military Strategy describing how the U.S. will use its Joint Force to meet current and future security challenges presented in an increasingly complex global security environment.
Describing the current security environment, Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), said “we now face multiple, simultaneous security challenges from traditional state actors and transregional networks of sub-state groups—all taking advantage of rapid technological change.” Dempsey stressed that conflicts will come faster, last longer, and increasingly have implications for the U.S. at home.
In a press conference, Dempsey said while the United States still has the most powerful military force, other countries continue large investments in military capabilities and the gap is closing. The military strategy calls for “greater agility, innovation, and integration’ and reinforces the need for the U.S. to stay globally involved. Just as important, Dempsey said, the strategy “renews our professional commitment to develop leaders who will bring this strategy to life.”
In describing the strategic environment, the Strategy identifies Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China as countries that “pose serious security concerns” to the U.S. and its allies.
Security contributions by Russia in counternarcotics and counterterrorism are noted, but the Strategy charges that “Russia’s military actions are undermining regional security directly and through proxy forces.” It lists a number of agreements (e.g., UN Charter, Helsinki Accords, and Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty) Russia has signed, but has violated by these actions.
Iran‘s pursuit of nuclear and missile delivery technologies and its support for terrorism “has undermined stability in many nations, including Israel, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen,” the report charges. North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile technology in the face of demands to cease such activity is a direct threat to the Republic of Korea and Japan, according to the report.
China could pose a threat to the United States because of its actions in the Asia-Pacific region, the report stresses. However, the report also encourages Chine to “become a partner for greater International security” by settling regional issues “without coercion.”
Under the U.S. military strategy, the military supports activities that advance the security of U.S citizens, allies, and partners, a strong economy, respect for universal values, and a “rules-based international order” that fosters peace, security, and opportunity. To ensure the survival of the nation and prevent a catastrophic attack on U.S. territory, the military seeks to: deter, deny, and defeat state adversaries; disrupt, deny, and defeat violent extremist organizations (VEO), and strengthen allies and partners.
The Strategy calls for a “Joint Force capable of swift and decisive force protection around the world.” This Joint Force’s globally integrated operations includes: Maintain a Secure Nuclear and Effective Deterrent by keeping strategic forces at a high state of readiness; Provide a Global, Stabilizing Presence around the world; Combat Terrorism with “sustained pressure using local forces augmented by specialized U.S. and coalition military strengths; Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction; Deny an Adversary’s Objectives with “highly-ready, forward-deployed forces, [and] well-trained and equipped surge forces at home;” Respond to Crises and Conduct Limited Contingency Operations; Conduct Stability and Counterinsurgency Operations “working with interagency, coalition, and host-nation forces;” Provide Support to Civil Authorities to work with civilian first-responders to deal with natural disasters and other domestics events; and Conduct Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response to deliver “life-sustaining aid to desperate people all around the world.”
The Strategy emphasizes innovation and efficiency to meet U.S. strategic objectives. This includes “promoting greater interoperability with joint, interagency, and international partners while encouraging action through decentralized execution.” The Strategy notes the existence of a resource-constrained environment t requires achieving savings through a more effective acquisition process (Better Buying Power 3.0) and reducing unneeded overhead and streamlining operations.
