Berger Goes Salamander

Another voice calling for the change

A couple months before he left active duty, General Berger, USMC (Ret.) made a few comments that, well, put a big grin on my face.

I know a few regulars here and at Midrats of long standing will roll their eyes with a “there he goes again” when I start to tilt against one of my windmills - the COCOMS.

Again because it can never be said enough; our military will not be able to meet the challenge of this century until:

• We replace Goldwater-Nichols.

• We redefine the definition and emphasis of “joint” as it is now practiced, especially in the acquisitions arena.

• The COCOM is re-baselined.

On the last part at least, Berger is with me.

Via Justin Katz at Breaking Defense;

The Pentagon’s structuring of regional combatant commanders may be overdue for reform, given the changing nature of how and where wars are being fought, Marine Corps commandant Gen. David Berger said Tuesday.

“My own opinion is it’s time for a look at that,” Berger said in response to questions at a Brookings Institute event. “For all the right reasons, we’ve added where we needed, but there comes a point where there’s so many combatant commanders and so many service chiefs that I wonder at what point does the secretary of defense have a span of control where… getting to a decision and getting the right perspectives on the table becomes really difficult.”

Bingo. It is a creaky and awkward structure designed to meet the challenge of an empire we defeated over three decades ago.

Yes, there are worse things than what we have now, specifically something along the lines of a German General Staff or anything that narrows the voices that get to the CINC. We need more “creative friction” for decision makers to ponder than just one voice carrying all their very human imperfections and biases with them to the table.

Shame that we once again have people waiting until the last minute to say such things, but better later then never.

Welcome to the team.

h/t Sadler.