Reoptimization for Great Power Competition

“I’m extremely proud of the Space Force and all the good it has accomplished. But, as good as we are, as much as we’ve done, as far as we’ve come, it’s not enough. We are not yet optimized for Great Power Competition.”

~ Chief of Space Operations
Gen. Chance Saltzman

The establishment of the U.S. Space Force was a direct response to threats arising from Great Power Competition in the space domain. Nevertheless, our legacy roots leave us sub-optimized for the security environment confronting us today, and we must finish fine-tuning the service to continue meeting its National Defense Strategy responsibilities

In early 2024, the Department of the Air Force unveiled sweeping plans for reshaping, refocusing, and reoptimizing the Air Force and Space Force to ensure continued supremacy in their respective domains while better posturing the services to deter and, if necessary, prevail in an era of Great Power Competition. Through a series of 24 DAF-wide key decisions, four core areas which demand the Department’s attention will be addressed: Develop People, Generate Readiness, Project Power and Develop Capabilities.

The space domain is no longer benign; it has rapidly become congested and contested.

We must enhance our capabilities, develop Guardians for modern warfare, prepare for the high intensity fight, and strengthen our power projection to thrive and win in this new era of Great Power Competition.

Video by Cpl. James Stanfield

1/7 "Suicide Charley" guns provides suppressive fire at Range 400 (Social Media Version)

Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES)

July 25, 2022 | 0:18

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nelson Rivera, a machine gun squad leader assigned to Charley Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, directs machine gun fire at Range 400, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., in support of Reserve Marines from Echo Company, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, during Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 4-22, July 25, 2022. ITX provides the Marine Corps Reserve opportunities to conduct force deployment planning, mobilization rehearsals, active duty force integration and increases combat readiness for all elements of the Marine Air Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by Cpl. James Stanfield) *Video designed for use as Instagram Reel