Military Officer - December 2006 - (Page 8)

fromtheeditor Face the Future The discussion continues: Does the Quadrennial Defense Review’s national security strategy successfully address the challenges the U.S. might encounter in the next 20 years? I n the October issue of Military Ofﬁcer, we challenged you to put on your thinking cap and take a critical look at our national defense challenges as laid out in the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). To set the stage, we turned to Dr. Andrew F. Krepinevich Jr., a retired Army lieutenant colonel and executive director of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. This center is an independent policy research institute that promotes innovative thinking about defense planning and investment strategies for the 21st century. To keep our coverage focused, we split Krepinevich’s analysis into two chunks. Part one, published in October, focused on how the QDR addresses its ﬁrst task: to determine the major challenges that might plausibly confront the U.S. in the next 20 years. This month, Krepinevich discusses the remaining three QDR tasks: (1) present a strategy for meeting future challenges, (2) determine whether the proposed strategy will be adequately resourced, and (3) determine whether the force structure and defense program proposed by DoD is consistent with the diagnosis of the threat and the strategy proposed for addressing it. As Krepinevich states: “While the QDR provides an accurate assessment of the security challenges confronting the U.S., its record is mixed in its presentation of strategies for meeting these challenges.” As usual, the opinions expressed in this article are the author’s, not MOAA’s. But we’d like to get your thoughts, too. What do 8 MILITARY OFFICER DECEMBER 2006 you think about part two of Krepinevich’s QDR analysis? Does our national defense strategy meet the challenges? Send letters to editor@moaa .org or log on to MOAA’s Web Base and take part in a discussion forum. Go to www.moaa .org/discussion and scroll down to Quadrennial Defense Review, Part Two. Now, I’d like to turn to a more down-to-earth issue. After all, this is the holiday season. It’s a time to be thankful for what we have and to reach out to others who could use a little assistance. Each of us has our own favorite way of giving, but this month we’d like to highlight one of MOAA’s signature programs for lending a helping hand. Since it was established in 1948, The Scholarship Fund of MOAA has helped more than 8,500 students from military families realize their dreams of a college education. Our story “How to Fund the Future,” page 54, talks about how MOAA chapters have rallied to support the association’s educational assistance programs — and how you, too, can lend a hand during the giving season or anytime. — Col. Warren S. Lacy, USA-Ret. PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT http://www.moaa.org/discussion http://www.moaa.org/discussion

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From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Cover Story: How to Fund the Future Martial Lore Good Night, Sleep Tight Mixed Review Information Exchange Advertising Index Member Books MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps MOAA Member Services

Military Officer - December 2006

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