Field Notes

An unsettled, and many would argue, a potentially hostile future. Upcoming presidential elections, rising oil prices, a shifting view towards Asia, and plans to reduce Defense Department spending and downsize and re-balance the military. What does it all mean and how is America dealing with it? Many questions, lots of opinions, and few black and white answers.

Such is the nature of strategy but that’s why it is complicated business and not for mere amateurs. While I am no expert, I frequently get asked (most often by my brother Richard), “what do you think about . . .?” Of course, I am always happy to offer an opinion. But before I do, however, I would like to help set some context – at least for national security strategy – for future posts.

Despite the political winds that the media would have us believe are in constant and violent flux, America’s security strategy has remained fairly consistent over the last 60 years. While change in presidential administrations, no doubt, drives changes and updates to national security strategy, those changes are seldom extreme. Context, therefore, is based first and foremost on understanding the current state of America’s national security strategy as communicated in several important documents. These documents and their development are all intended to be nested, with each successive level describing a more detailed supporting idea. One needs only look at the dates, however, to see that it is not a perfect science and they are not always updated in proper sequence. Ideally, the National Security Strategy is established first with the National Defense Strategy, and then to the National Military Strategy following in succession.

2010 National Security Strategy – President Obama’s vision  Go to NSS

      2008 National Defense Strategy – Former Secretary of Defense
                                                                   Robert Gates’ vision  Go to NDS

             2011 National Military Strategy – Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
                                                                         General Dempsey’s vision  Go to NMS

The 2008 National Defense Strategy will likely be updated soon to align with the new defense guidance that was presented by President Obama on January 5th, 2012. He delivered his updated strategic “vision” in the Pentagon with new Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and senior civilian and military Defense Department leaders. For those who want to learn more, see the links below for a couple of good articles that address these documents. Enjoy!

“U.S. National Security Strategy: Rhetoric and Reality”
by Micah Zenko, August 15, 2011

“The 2011 National Military Strategy: Resetting a Strong Foundation”
by Nicholas R. Krueger, May 2, 2011

Stephen and I recently attended my eldest son’s “Plebe Parent Weekend.” It was a great event where family had the opportunity to visit their Plebes, see their barracks rooms, meet their professors, and learn more about the Plebe experience. We also enjoyed the company of other families at some well orchestrated social events. Well done West Point!

Robby, Stephen and Dad in the Cadet Mess Hall at West Point, March 12, 2012.

What will the November elections bring? I think it is likely we will see a general election with incumbent President Obama facing the Republican challenger, Mitt Romney. While my purpose is not to get into politics, it is to highlight some information that has been overlooked by the media. Mitt Romney actually has a fairly well developed national security vision. After all, he has had the last four years to prepare for this campaign, so why wouldn’t he? He also has a robust team of national security advisors like Dr. Eliot Cohen, Director of the Strategic Studies Program at the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University. As the elections draw near as America focuses on the candidates, I would encourage you to also focus on the trusted team of advisors the candidates rely upon.

You can learn more about Mitt Romney’s vision and his team of advisors at his national defense link: http://www.mittromney.com/issues/national-defense

Read Mitt’s national defense white paper:

An American Century – A Strategy to Secure America’s Enduring Interests and Ideals

My brother Ryan with Mitt Romney in Colorado during the primaries.