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The Army is embarking on a sweeping transformation, according to a letter to the force last week from senior Army leaders.
“Our Army must transform now to a leaner, more lethal force by infusing technology, cutting obsolete systems, and reducing overhead to defeat any adversary on an ever-changing battlefield,” Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy A. George wrote in the May 1 message.
The outline of the Army Transformation Initiative followed by one day a memorandum from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directing the Army to “build a leaner, more lethal force.”
Discussions about the changes have been underway for weeks, including decisions to halt the procurement of weapons systems deemed to have declining relevance on future battlefields.
“Yesterday’s weapons will not win tomorrow’s wars,” Driscoll and George wrote in their message.
Instead, Army leaders say they will focus the introduction of long-range missiles and modernized unmanned systems into formations. They also want to field the M1E3 Abrams main battle tank, develop the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft and close what they call the “counter-small UAS capability gap.”
The plan also includes combining some Army commands, including Army Futures Command with Army Training and Doctrine Command and Army Forces Command with U.S. Army South and U.S. Army North.
The Army also will convert all infantry brigade combat teams to mobile brigade combat teams to “improve mobility and lethality in a leaner formation. We are trading weight for speed, and mass for decisive force,” the message says.
Further details on the Army’s plan are expected in the days and months ahead.
In addition to building a leaner, more lethal Army, both messages also stress finding cost savings.
Retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the NGAUS president, said the capabilities and cost-effectiveness of the Army National Guard provides solutions to the Pentagon’s stated objectives.
“We look forward to working with Army leaders on ensuring Total Force equities in the Army Transformation Initiative,” he said. “We also look forward to working with Congress as lawmakers debate the future of the DoD enterprise.”
─ By John Goheen
