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. Megan Roses

Local students get hands on with computer science

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

March 22, 2018 | 0:54

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Christopher Cortez (Retired), Vice President of Microsoft Military Affairs, discusses the first Microsoft Corporation YouthSpark Live seminar, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 22, 2018. Service members' children who attend schools on base, were afforded the opportunity to learn many aspects of computer science during the seminar. The event signified the first time that Microsoft brought its program to a military base. YouthSpark was created to afford children opportunities to learn the many aspects of computing, with a priority focus on computer science education, and inspiring young people to pursue a career enabled by technology. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Megan Roses)