Question for CJCS

[ODB]

I have the opportunity to ask the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) a question. I have formulated a few in my mind but love the wisdom here. Any ideas? If you could ask the CJCS any question what would it be?

I'm currently looking at asking something along the lines of how the shift in focus from Iraq to Afghanistan will affect future policies in both countries.

Or it is my perception that currently we are spending more money on technology platforms for the answer in fighting our wars instead of spending money on human platforms; spending the time and money to develop and train soldier skills.

[Schmedlap]

If you had $5 billion dollars and were given the following choices of how to spend it, which would you choose?
a) buy aircraft(s)
b) buy boat(s)
c) buy armored vehicles
d) teach Pashtun and tribal customs to 10,000 Soldiers and train them to fight as small units in mountainous terrain

[davidbfpo]

Mr Chairman, since 9/11/2001 the US military have learnt a lot, how will you ensure we do not forget - however painful to our conventional wisdom?

or

Mr Chairman, tommorrow the President and Congress require a 10% cut in defence spending on new systems (not people), to contribute to the economic stimulus. Hard decisions are needed, what one programme would you choose?

davidbfpo

[Steve Blair]

Mr Chairman,

Our current personnel system does not easily allow for unit cohesion or the informal sharing and preservation of combat lessons learned, especially in the officer career fields. Changes here would allow for better units, more solid preservation of lessons learned, and in the long run a more stable force with fewer personnel issues and better leaders at all levels. If you could make one decision or change regarding our military personnel system, what would it be and why?

[Rob Thornton]

Admiral,
Do you think we suffer from constrained thinking at the Joint and service levels and how does it impede adaptation?
or you could ask...

Do you think the Joint Force adequately meets the needs of the Operational CDRs? Why or why not?

Best, Rob

[ODB]

I appreciate the replies

10% budget cut along with technology platforms vs. human platforms.

Rob: Discussed your questions at length today, adaptation at what levels? Adaptation of? Very broad stroke that we took into about 5 different directions, just wondering what you were trying to pin down. Meets the operational CDRs how? Again what level and what needs were you thinking?

Steve: Most are in agreement, but until we gain control on the tendency to "super size" our staffs we cannot get there. Higher ecelons are always wanting more to fill their staffs. Additionally we need to change career progression requirements to coincide with longer stability. 2 of the key points that came about in discussion today.

Davidpfbo We always seem to be in this vacuum, interesting thought, any insight on your thinking about lessons learned?