Armed Forces News

Modernization plans now underway would make the Army would be better equipped to train, deploy, and prevail in any conflict, Army Secretary Mark T. Esper believes. Soldiers would be able to confront aggressors and wage irregular warfare as well, Esper said, speaking before a March 26 symposium sponsored by the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) in Huntsville, Ala.
“The Army will do this through an employment of modern, manned and unmanned combat vehicles, aircraft, sustainment systems and weapons coupled with robust combined arms formations and tactics based on a modern warfighting doctrine and centered on exceptional leaders and soldiers of unmatched lethality,” Esper said.

A key area of change involves the establishment of the Army Futures Command, which is scheduled to take place sometime this summer. The new command will stand on equal footing with the Army’s Training and Doctrine, Materiel, and Forces commands, Undersecretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy said during the symposium.

While a complete definition of Futures Command’s role would emerge with time, McCarthy said its primary areas of focus would include integration, research and development, acquisition, science, and technology. Soldiers and civilians who work in those fields should expect to see some organizational changes occur as the new command takes shape.