Transformation's Uncontested Truths

摘要

Much of the literature concerning military transformation in the United States employs a number of popular, but hitherto unchallenged clich s. Unfortunately, when phrases are repeated frequently enough, they begin to sound true. In policy circles, where haste is often by necessity the order of the day, that poor basis can suffice to justify any number of decisions. Clich s and catchwords are merely handy ways of capturing and conveying truths; they may reveal a lack of imagination on the part of the user, but they are hardly dangerous. Unsubstantiated clich s, however, are another matter. They can masquerade as truths and, unless exposed in time, ultimately prove costly and harmful to policy. Here are five of the more popular clich s, or myths, found in transformation literature today, which are essentially baseless. Only by regularly challenging the many truths we take for granted can we avoid wasting ever-scarce resources, and keep our military transformation on course.