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.

U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Reunites Former Teacher with Student

U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion - Oklahoma City

Video by Amber Osei

Feb. 27, 2019 | 1:19

LAWTON – On a recent visit to Fort Sill, Oklahoma as a part of an Educator Tour hosted by the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion – Oklahoma City, Mrs. Debbie Waken, an educator from Tulsa Tech, was able to reunite with one of her former students who is currently going through Advanced Individual Training (AIT) stationed at Fort Sill, OK.

Debbie Waken is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) counselor at the Tulsa Tech Lesley Campus in Tulsa Okla. Her job is to help Tulsa Tech students decide what career fields they would like to pursue and to manage their career progression. Debbie has seen many students advance and graduate though the STEM courses offered at Tulsa Tech.

“Will is my rock star student. If I could only have a million of him…” Says Mrs. Waken.

Pvt. William Carey is currently a student at Fort Sill going through his AIT for his Military Occupation Skill (MOS). Carey is going through training in Air Defense Artillery. This MOS relies heavily on STEM aspects and truly puts the education he earned at Tulsa Tech to use.

“Don’t quit, just keep going, there are so many things that the Army has to offer and it’s a great opportunity.” Says Will.

Carey will complete his training at Fort Sill in the weeks to come and will report to his first duty station ready to put his new found skills to use in the Air Defense Artillery branch. More