Adaptability of Land Forces to 21st Century Security Challenges; Issue paper

摘要

Over the past 45 years changes in the strategic environment require land forces capable of more than just attacking and defending. Today combat power entails the simultaneous and continuous implementation of offense, defense, stability, and civil support operations. Shaping the civil situation to accomplish the strategic endstate is just as important as combat success. This changed environment increases the importance of land forces and their contribution. In this full-spectrum environment, improving security and bringing states back into the global community depends on trained and effective land forces to 'defend...protect...and keep it for civilization.' Transforming a nation's military to face 21st century challenges requires recognition of the need for change and then taking action to accomplish that change. Neither component of this two-step process is easy, but adapting the national military culture and equipping the force for full spectrum operations is the hardest part. The 2008 Land Forces Symposium brought together Army commanders or their representatives from 23 countries within the U.S. Central Command region to discuss the 'Adaptability of Land Forces to 21st Century Security Challenges.' The symposium fosters security cooperation by providing a forum for regional exchange of views, cultural understanding, and the establishment and enhancement of personal relationships. To stimulate these exchanges delegates participated in a series of panels addressing the following topics: Sub- regional and Regional Cooperation, Transitioning from War to Peace, and Military Support to National Security and Stability. These topics were framed within the context of globalization. Each panel opened with a discussion that looked at the issue at large followed by regional presenters who focused on national or sub-regional applications.