Reoptimization for Great Power Competition

GPC Key Decisions

USAF Case for Change

SecAF Memo

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 JROTC National Drone Championship | 2025

U.S. Army Cadet Command (Army ROTC)

Video by Jackson Huston

March 8, 2025 | 6:22

Army JROTC, in partnership with the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, hosted the inaugural Army JROTC National Drone Championship with 40 teams from across the nation competing March 7-8 at Fort Benning, Ga.

All-Around Champions: Tafuna High School, Pago Pago, American Samoa

Teamwork Mission Champions: Camdenton High School, Camdenton, Mo. and Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Lake Worth, Fla.

Skills Mission Champions: White County High School, Cleveland, Ga.

Timecodes:

B-Roll

0:00-1:00 Teams practice prior to the start of the competition.

1:00-2:16 Teams participate in the Skills Mission and the Autonomous Skills Mission

2:16-3:07 Teams participate in the qualification match.

3:07-4:57 Tafuna High School participates in the finals of the competition. During the semi-finals the team scored 154 points, the most of the entire competition.

4:57-5:30 Tafuna High School is announced as All-Around Champions of the competition and presented a trophy by Command Sgt. Maj. Roy Young, Command Sergeant Major of U.S. Army Cadet Command and Dant Mantz, CEO of the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation.

5:30-5:38 Camdenton High School and Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School, Teamwork Mission Champions, are presented trophies by Command Sgt. Maj. Roy Young, Command Sergeant Major of U.S. Army Cadet Command and Dant Mantz, CEO of the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation.

5:38-5:46 White County High School, Skills Mission Champion, is presented a trophy by Command Sgt. Maj. Roy Young, Command Sergeant Major of U.S. Army Cadet Command and Dan Mantz, CEO of the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation.

A-Roll

5:46-6:22 Army JROTC Cadet Braydon John explains the applicable skills he has gained from being a part of the Army JROTC Drone Team at Timberland High School in St. Stephen, S.C. More