Army Secretary Dr Mark Esper’s session August 29th prompted more than a dozen articles on a wide variety of topics, as the Secretary showed his detailed grasp of the policy issues facing the massive service he leads.
Esper took on sometimes difficult questions on how the Army is going to increase recruitment, in a time of low unemployment and high demand for labor from private employers, problems with obesity among young people 18-25, and polls showing fewer Americans have an inclination to serve their country. Far from lowering standards in light of these challenges, Esper said the Army is raising them, with a new tougher fitness standard. That said, he looks constantly at evolving standards on matters such as body mutilation or previous drug use. He appeared ready to be flexible in some areas. Some reports say Army-approved waivers are being offered more frequently now for such matters.
Esper worries that increasingly the U.S. Army comes from “just one percent of the country” and is turning into a “family business”, which is not healthy for the country.
He spoke about the lessons being learned from the way the Russians are using non-conventional warfare tactics in Ukraine, including drones and indirect fire, and the ways in which the training programs for Afghan troops need to be tailored to their needs. The Secretary is hopeful about the new Army Futures Command, but wants to leave it to the commander, General Murray, to shape his force as he sees fit.
Military.com: Afghan Forces Need More Mortar Training, Army Advisers Say
Breaking Defense: Army Futures Command: $100M, 500 Staff, & Access To Top Leaders
https://breakingdefense.com/2018/08/army-futures-command-100m-500-staff-access-to-top-leaders/
Bloomberg News: BAE's Army Vehicle Production to Be Inspected by Service Chief
National Defense Magazine: Army Leader Mum on Program Cuts
http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2018/8/29/army-leader-mum-on-program-cuts
Defense One:
https://www.defenseone.com/news/2018/08/the-d-brief-august-29-2018/150891/?oref=d-channeltop
Shephard Media:US Army looking to 'rebuild' EW capabilities
https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/digital-battlespace/us-army-looking-rebuild-ew-capabilities/
US Army prepares for 2nd Security Force deployment
https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/us-army-prepares-2nd-security-force-deployment/
Defense Daily: Esper: Futures Command To Cost $80 Million – $100 Million Per Year, Oversee $30 Billion Modernization Portfolio
Federal News Radio: Army has its work cut out for it to build the force, Esper says
Jane’s: US Army secretary: welding issues hinder Paladin howitzer production
Inside the Army: Esper to visit BAE plant to resolve issues with new howitzer
https://insidedefense.com/daily-news/esper-visit-bae-plant-resolve-issues-new-howitzer
TASS: Pentagon: US corrects preparation of its Armed Forces taking into account the conflict in Ukraine
http://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/5504349
