American Defense Reform: Lessons from Failure and Success in Navy History

The US military must adapt to evolving technologies, shifting adversaries, and a changing social environment. American Defense Reform provides a roadmap for US military innovation based on the Navy's history of success through civilian-military collaborations. The book offers insights and practical recommendations for reforming national defense to meet future demands.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 310 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2022
Publisher: Georgetown University Press

The United States military faces significant challenges in adapting to rapidly evolving technologies, shifting adversaries, and a changing social environment for its personnel. In their book, "American Defense Reform," Dave Oliver and Anand Toprani draw on the rich history of the United States Navy to offer a roadmap for successful change within the Pentagon.

The book provides a historical analysis of the Navy during four key periods of disruptive transformation: the 1940s Revolt of the Admirals, the McNamara Revolution in systems analysis, the fallout from the Vietnam War, and the end of the Cold War. The authors use a combination of historical documents, previously unpublished interviews with four-star admirals, and Oliver's own experiences as a senior naval officer and defense industry executive to shed light on the factors that have contributed to the Navy's success and challenges.

One of the key insights of the book is that Congress alone cannot effectively create change within the military. The authors argue that the private sector has a wealth of experience and expertise that can be valuable in reforming the public sector. However, there are barriers to applying the experience of the private sector to the public sector, such as cultural differences, regulatory frameworks, and political considerations.

To overcome these barriers, Oliver and Toprani propose a collaborative effort between civilians, the military, and industry. They argue that each sector has unique contributions to make and that by working together, the military can better adapt to changing technologies, shift adversaries, and meet the needs of its personnel.

The book provides practical recommendations for reforming national defense to meet future demands. The authors suggest that the military should prioritize investments in technology, training, and personnel development to ensure that it is well-equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century. They also recommend that the military should embrace innovation and collaboration to better integrate the private sector and improve efficiency and effectiveness.

In conclusion, "American Defense Reform" offers valuable insights and practical recommendations for reforming national defense to meet the challenges of the 21st century. By drawing on the history of the United States Navy, the book demonstrates that change can only come from a collaborative effort between civilians, the military, and industry. The authors' proposals for reform are essential to ensuring that the United States military remains a strong and effective force for generations to come.

Weight: 431g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647122768