Reoptimization for Great Power Competition

GPC Key Decisions

USAF Case for Change

Air Force FAQ for Reoptimizing Great Power Competition

“We need these changes now; we are out of time to reoptimize our forces to meet the strategic challenges in a time of great power competition.”

~ Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall

The United States faces a time of consequence marked by significant shifts in the strategic environment. To remain ready, the U.S. Air Force must change.

In early 2024, the Department of the Air Force unveiled sweeping plans for reshaping, refocusing, and reoptimizing the Air Force and Space Force to ensure continued supremacy in their respective domains while better posturing the services to deter and, if necessary, prevail in an era of Great Power Competition. Through a series of 24 DAF-wide key decisions, four core areas which demand the Department’s attention will be addressed: Develop People, Generate Readiness, Project Power and Develop Capabilities.

Today, the Air Force once again finds itself at a critical juncture—an era of Great Power Competition marked by a new security environment, a rapidly evolving character of war, and a formidable competitor. This new era requires understanding its challenges and the attributes needed to succeed.

Embracing change is not a choice; it is a necessity. The Air Force must “reoptimize” into an enterprise prepared for high-end conflicts and long-term strategic competition.

Army Service Rifle Team wins Marine Corps Commanding General Match

U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit

Video by Maj. Michelle Lunato

June 28, 2019 | 1:00

Soldiers from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit's Service Rifle Team are competing in the 2019 Interservice Rifle Championships this week in Quantico, Virginia.

The week-long, annual competition is hosted by the Marine Corps' Weapons Training Battalion and tests the rifle marksmanship skills of servicemembers from across the Department of Defense: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve.

This video shows some of the action from the Commanding General's Match, which is a six-man team match. The course of fire is: 10 standing, slow-fire shots at 200 yards; 10 prone from standing, rapid-fire shots at 300 yards; and 10 prone, slow-fire shots at 600 yards. USAMU had three teams competing and placed 1st, 2nd, and 5th place. The 1st place team, USAMU Craig, won with a score of 1782-65X, which tied with their winning score last year. More