The new balance

The author contends the Department of Defense (DoD) cannot ignore inadequacies of much of the current force as the strategic landscape becomes increasingly unpredictable. For the next large-scale unconventional challenge, the Secretary of Defense must have the right force available to respond effectively. Senior landpower leaders should anticipate there will be changes in the U.S. approach to defense-relevant and defense-specific challenges around the world and should be proactive in assisting the SecDef identify and build capabilities for the new balance point during the upcoming Quadrennial Defense Review. Doing so will enable DoD to better account for contemporary strategic conditions with minimum future institutional disruption.