Strategic Issues

Strategic Leader Meta-Competencies Stephen Banks, David Eckley, Colonel Silas G. Martinez, Mark Stackle, Prof Louis G Yuengert Publication from the US Army War College, Department of Command, Leadership, and Management, School of Strategic Landpower, US Army War College Press, Strategic Studies Institute "As the capability gap between the United States military and its global competitors continues to shrink, the Army has countered with the launch of a transformative talent management effort to maintain its competitive edge over its rivals. Officer assessments comprise a critical component of the Army’s effort. While doctrinal requirements and existing measurement tools facilitate implementation of assessments for junior and mid-grade officers, assessment strategies for senior leaders are underdeveloped. This report informs talent management at the strategic level."

Campaign Planning Handbook AY21 Col. Keith Burkepile, COL Matthew D. Morton, COL Veronica Oswald-Hrutkay Publication from the US Army War College, Department of Military Strategy, Planning, and Operations, School of Strategic Landpower "The purpose of this document is to assist United States Army War College students during the Military Strategy and Campaigning (MSC) course. It also serves to assist commanders, planners, and other staff officers in combatant commands (CCMD), joint task forces (JTF), and service component commands. It supplements joint doctrine and contains elements of emerging doctrine as practiced globally by joint force commanders (JFCs). It portrays a way to apply draft doctrine awaiting signature, published doctrine, and emerging concepts, all at the higher levels of joint command, with a primary emphasis at the combatant command level."

Theater Army Role in Multi-Domain Operations - An Integrated Research Project Gregory L. Cantwell Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "The USAWC is responsible for educating the next generation of senior leaders on the application of strategic Landpower. This cannot be accomplished without providing a thorough understanding of the roles of the theater army. This integrated research project provides a foundational understanding of the challenges facing the Joint force in applying the MDO concept to the future operating environment and the science of how the Army prepares for large scale combat operations at the strategic level."

by Lt Col Nicholas Delcour (USAF), Lt Col Louis Duncan (USAF), Mr Stephen Frahm (DOS), CDR Patrick Lancaster (USN), Lt Col Lance Vann (USAF). Under the Direction of: Prof Kristan Wheaton; Publication by Estimation of Technology Convergence by 2035 This comprehensive analysis from students at the U.S. Army War College’s Futures Seminar explores the anticipated convergence of various technologies – including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and quantum technology – by 2035, highlighting their potential military applications and implications for national security. The authors, a diverse team of military and government professionals, utilize structured analytic techniques to project significant technological advancements and their synergistic effects, emphasizing the critical need for strategic foresight in military planning and operations.

Vincent A. Amerena Sr., Steven M. Clark, Andrew L. Heymann, Martin D. Lepak, John A. Urciuoli; Document from the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership; This document outlines a strategic framework for evolving the Army’s talent management approach to meet future demands. It identifies 12 critical elements necessary for a talent-based system, emphasizing the importance of a self-learning system, visibility of the total force, and expandable access to personnel across the Department of Defense. Additionally, the report addresses procedural and cultural impediments that could hinder the implementation of an agile system, such as mobile access to the talent marketplace and military compensation challenges. The report serves as a blueprint for transforming Army personnel management to align with emerging workforce trends and operational needs by 2035.

Ashraf S. Abdelhak, Jerry A. Brown, Rafael A. Duran, Russell V. Hoff, Samuel P. Smith; Document from the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership; This document meticulously evaluates the modernization plans and defense strategies of key global players, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, identifying 19 capabilities and 22 unique threat signatures that will likely evolve. The report emphasizes the necessity for the U.S. Army to develop sophisticated, integrated sensor systems capable of detecting both technical and non-technical signatures, as adversaries increasingly employ advanced technologies such as electronic warfare, cyber capabilities, and stealth to obscure their actions. As global powers continue to enhance their military capabilities, this analysis serves as a crucial guide for maintaining strategic superiority and ensuring national security.

Estimation of Technology Convergence Lt Col Nicholas Delcour (USAF), Lt Col Louis Duncan (USAF), Mr Stephen Frahm (DOS), CDR Patrick Lancaster (USN), Lt Col Lance Vann (USAF) Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "The Team prepared this document as part of an Integrated Research Project as partial to complete the Master of Strategic Studies degree from the USAWC. The research, analysis, and production of this product occurred from Oct 2019 through Apr 2020 as part of the in-residence AWC Senior Service College program. The research question was: How, when, and where are artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum technology, nanotechnology, neurotechnology, autonomous technology, robotics, and information technology likely to converge in ways relevant to the US Army over the next 15 years?"

Likely Threat Signatures 2030-2040 Ashraf Abdelhak, Jerry Brown, Rafael Duran, Russell Hoff, Samuel Smith Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "The USAWC Futures Seminar Team Sensing prepared this document for the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, G2 (Intelligence). The research, analysis, and production of this product occurred over a 28 week time frame from Oct 2019 to Apr 2020 at the USAWC. The research requirement was: What are likely future threat signatures in 2030-2040? What sensors and systems will the U.S. Army likely need in order to detect, recognize, analyze, and target future threat signatures?"

Talent Management After Next - Evolution of the People Strategy Vincent A. Amerena Sr. Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "This document was written by a research team at the USAWC as a part of the Futures Seminar for AY 2020. This report answers questions posed by Dr. Casey Wardynski, Asst. Sec. of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (ASA M&RA). The team's task was to analyze and synthesize an estimate from open-source information relevant to the questions posed: What are the elements of a talent-based approach to Army personnel management that will reveal market requirements while meeting Army demands in relative real-time and provide feedback through a self-learning system? Additionally, what procedural and cultural impediments likely stand in the way of an agile system that allows the Army to adapt to these new demands through acquisition avenues or modifications to the development of the Army's existing talent?"