Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan recently discussed the priorities of the Evolving the Future Force project while speaking at an event sponsored by the Center for a New American Security on March 29.
The multiyear initiative examines steps the joint force can take to adapt to adversary innovations and evolve the joint force in a cost-effective manner. It explores opportunities that build upon existing programs, utilize emerging technologies and leverage a high-low mix of assets, Shanahan told the audience of experts from industry and academia and former government officials.
Defense Secretary James N. Mattis has outlined three lines of effort in the National Defense Strategy: improving military readiness while building a more lethal joint force, strengthening alliances and attracting new partners, and reforming the department’s business practices.
The program launched in January, and the budget was delivered in February. Efforts in March have focused on execution, Shanahan said.
The deputy secretary described his three execution priorities this month: “moving the needle on readiness,” de-risking programs of record and pursuing reform in how the Defense Department does business.
“Many of these issues, problems, ideas [and] solutions have been either around for a while or they’re emerging, and we need to embrace them in a very risk-balanced way,” Shanahan said.