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 Capt. Kevin Stapleton

Marine Innovation Unit Senior Enlisted Advisor Post and Relief Ceremony

Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES)

March 1, 2024 | 37:05

U.S. Marines with the Marine Innovation Unit (MIU), U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, participate in a Senior Enlisted Advisor Post and Relief Ceremony in Arlington, Virginia, March 1, 2024. The Post and Relief Ceremony serves as the official changeover between the unit's senior enlisted advisors, honoring U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Robert Lusk, outgoing senior enlisted advisor with MIU, while offering the opportunity for Master Gunnery Sgt. David Arellano, incoming senior enlisted advisor with MIU, to introduce himself to the Marines now under his charge. Stood up in March 2022, MIU leverages existing Marine talent in order to: accelerate the adoption of advanced capabilities; transform Naval Service capacity for technology employment; and retain and invest in Total Force human capital. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Capt. Kevin P. Stapleton)