Knowledge is the Key: Educating, Training and Developing Operational Artists forthe 21st Century

摘要

Warfare in the era will be joint. However, the Armed Forces have been slow tomake requisite changes. The Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 forced change by legislating reforms and ending the internecine quarrels which had impeded progress for decades. Joint warfare is the desired effect of the Goldwater-Nichols Act and the Armed Forces are making progress in the ability to conduct joint warfare. More progress is needed, however, before joint warfare becomes routine. Practicing joint warfare requires a new way of educating officers. The House of Representatives Committee on the Armed Services Panel on Military Education (known as the Skelton Panel after its chairman, Representative Ike Skelton) explored the professional military education system and recommended ways of providing the type of education necessary to meet the spirit of the Goldwater-Nichols Act. The panel was particularly concerned with ensuring the education system provided the link between producing competent Service officers and competent joint officers.