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.

Shout outs from Olympian, 1st Lt. Amber English

U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit

Video by Maj. Michelle Lunato

May 4, 2020 | 1:02

1st Lt. Amber English, a Colorado Springs, Colorado native who is an instructor/shooter with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, was recently selected for a spot on Team USA in the Skeet event for the 2020 (now 2021) Olympic Games in Tokyo.

English grew up around the shooting sports but wasn’t really competitive in it until she was 17. After progressing up the competitive circuit, she became a full-time athlete at the Olympic Training Center in 2012. In 2016, she came close to her dream of making Team USA when she was selected as an alternate in the Skeet Trials for the Rio Games.

Looking for a change, she joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 2017 with a special assignment to the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program. As an Army athlete, English is attached to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning, Georgia to train with other elite marksmen in uniform.

Since joining the Army, this Soldier has earned a number of Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at international competitions, bringing her closer to that Olympic dream.

In March 2020, English completed the second, and final, part to the Skeet Olympic Trials and earned a spot on Team USA. Not only did she earn her spot, she took it with determination, shooting a perfect score in six of 10 rounds. English’s cumulative score was 532.

English will compete in the Women’s Skeet event at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

These are some basic shout outs from the Soldier. More