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 Jackson Huston

JROTC VEX Robotics World Championship B-Roll

U.S. Army Cadet Command (Army ROTC)

May 10, 2025 | 5:50

JROTC cadets compete in the JROTC VEX Robotics World Championship. JROTC cadets had their very own division at the competition, which hosted students from over 30 other nations this year. Through robotics, VEX encourages students around the world to question, tinker, experiment, and play to create an identity as a STEM learner. Interview Time Stamp: [4:57] Isaac Lau, St. Louis High School, Honolulu, Hawaii JROTC Science Division Alliance Winners Westview High School, Bennington, Neb. Stanhope Elmore High School, Millbrook, Ala. JROTC Arts Division Alliance Winners and Overall JROTC Finalists Mililani High School, Mililani, Hawaii St. Louis High School, Honolulu, Hawaii A historic victory as this marks the fourth year in a row that St. Louis has been a part of the winning JROTC alliance at VEX Worlds.