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 Amber Osei

U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Reunites Former Teacher with Student

U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion - Oklahoma City

Feb. 27, 2019 | 1:19

LAWTON – On a recent visit to Fort Sill, Oklahoma as a part of an Educator Tour hosted by the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion – Oklahoma City, Mrs. Debbie Waken, an educator from Tulsa Tech, was able to reunite with one of her former students who is currently going through Advanced Individual Training (AIT) stationed at Fort Sill, OK.

Debbie Waken is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) counselor at the Tulsa Tech Lesley Campus in Tulsa Okla. Her job is to help Tulsa Tech students decide what career fields they would like to pursue and to manage their career progression. Debbie has seen many students advance and graduate though the STEM courses offered at Tulsa Tech.

“Will is my rock star student. If I could only have a million of him…” Says Mrs. Waken.

Pvt. William Carey is currently a student at Fort Sill going through his AIT for his Military Occupation Skill (MOS). Carey is going through training in Air Defense Artillery. This MOS relies heavily on STEM aspects and truly puts the education he earned at Tulsa Tech to use.

“Don’t quit, just keep going, there are so many things that the Army has to offer and it’s a great opportunity.” Says Will.

Carey will complete his training at Fort Sill in the weeks to come and will report to his first duty station ready to put his new found skills to use in the Air Defense Artillery branch.