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.

The Army CAC Certificate Reduction and Realignment Plan

Headquarters, Department of the Army, DCS-G6

Video by Katryn McCalment

Jan. 23, 2019 | 0:59

Army Common Access Card (CAC) holders have until March 31, 2019 to activate their Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Authentication certificate to ensure uninterrupted access to military networks and data. Mandated by the DoD, the Army CAC Certificate Reduction and Realignment Plan modifies the certificates on the CAC to streamline authentication functions under one certificate, increasing interoperability across the DoD and other U.S. federal government agencies to seamlessly integrate system access and information sharing. Approximately two-thirds of all Army CAC holders will be required to activate their PIV authentication certificate. Users should use Internet Explorer when updating their security certificates at: https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/self_service/. Instructions for activating the PIV certificate are on the website. More