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 Steve Pindyski

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Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst – Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR) Military Competition - April 2025

USASA, Fort Dix

April 2, 2026 | 5:18

The U.S. Army Reserve Command conducted its selection camp at U.S. Army Support Activity-Fort Dix March 31 to April 3 for the U.S. Team, which will compete this summer in the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR) Military Competition. CIOR is an annual reserve military competition consisting of NATO member states and other invited nations. In 2026, 34 countries will compete representing 1.3 million reserve troops. The competition, which has been held since 1957, is a military pentathlon testing service members in pistol and rifle marksmanship, land and water obstacles, and orienteering. CIOR is a team competition in which each member of the team must complete the competition events together. The three-day competition consists of pistol and rifle shooting on the first day, obstacle course and utility swimming on the second day, and orienteering with additional tasks like range estimation, map reading and hand grenade throwing on the third day. (Video captured by the U.S. ASA Fort Dix (TSC) Training Support Center / Steve Pindyski)