F101

In a time of declining budgets and fiscal uncertainty, the DoD must make difficult decisions as to how to protect America’s security interest and role as a global/regional hegemon. Couple that with new dangers and the unpredictability of our global environment, the question becomes how can the Army “Set conditions to expand the Army when called upon” given the current drawdown and resource-constrained environment?   In response to this question, I believe the Army will not need to expand after the drawdown once it leverages two aspects in the restructuring of the Total Force: Train, develop, and modernize Soldiers at the lowest operation levels and leverage technological advantages and future combat systems to empower the force.
      Initially, focus will be Soldier and leader development.   The Army plans to decentralize combat power to the lowest unit level, therefore; creating a more adaptive force capable of achieving regional alignment through mission tailoring.   The force comprised of empowered Soldiers and leaders will be proficient in culture, politics, and the fundamental aspects of unified land operations. Having leaders that can make sound decisions will decrease the need to rely on a large Army to fight an unconventional enemy.
      Additionally future Soldiers will utilize a vast infrastructure of information, technology and global partnerships that will enable them to adapt and overcome.   The Army will leverage the new smaller forces with advance capabilities increasing the Soldiers lethality, protection, mobility, and situational awareness.   The new weaponry and technology will provide tactical superiority at the lowest levels.
      Due to an unpredictable financial and global environment, downsizing is inevitable. A large Army has become unsustainable and requires change.   Smaller decentralized units with increased training and technological capabilities along with an emphasizes on Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational (JIIM)...