Reviving Army Futures Command: A Call to Action
Written by Michael McInerney via RealClearWire,
As the new administration prepares to take office, there is a pressing need to reignite the Army’s focus and efficiency by eliminating bureaucratic obstacles. One crucial step among the myriad of challenges is crystal clear: restore Army Futures Command (AFC) to its original purpose set during the initial Trump administration. It’s time to grant AFC the authority and autonomy it needs to excel in its mission—to innovate and modernize the U.S. Army for the battles of tomorrow.
Established in 2018, AFC was envisioned as the driving force behind Army modernization. With budgetary power, AFC had genuine influence over investment choices. Former Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy and Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley conceived AFC to break away from the failures of two decades of modernization attempts. Years of costly and underperforming projects drove McCarthy and Milley to establish a streamlined, agile command capable of sidestepping bureaucratic hurdles, cutting through indecision, and delivering cutting-edge capabilities. An empowered AFC wasted no time in axing redundant programs and shaping the Army we require—one armed with cutting-edge technology, prepared to deter future threats.
However, in late 2021, AFC’s progress hit a roadblock. The Biden administration issued directives that stripped the command of its financial authority, effectively crippling its mission. The rationale? To reassert “civilian control” over military expenditures. In reality, this decision threw AFC back into the convoluted world of the Pentagon’s acquisition bureaucracy—a labyrinth of civilian officials, entrenched contractors, and disconnected acquisition officers. Without budgetary power, AFC lost its ability to influence modernization decisions. Its impactful voice was all but silenced.
Devoid of budget control, AFC became a mere figurehead, relegated to offering unwanted advice from the sidelines while Army modernization regressed into the same sluggish, bloated Pentagon bureaucracy it was meant to reform.
Restoring AFC’s authority is not about undermining civilian oversight. Before 2022, AFC’s 4-star Commander shared acquisition budget authority with the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisitions, Logistics, and Technology, a civilian leader. Moreover, the Secretary of the Army maintained ultimate authority over the Army’s annual budget request. This system struck a balance by empowering military leaders focused on operations while ensuring civilian supervision.
Revoking budget authority left AFC’s role in the acquisition process in limbo, rendering it incapable of fulfilling its original vision. Visionary leaders during the first Trump administration did not envision this outcome. The crux of the matter? Restoring AFC’s authority equates to reinstating the voice of uniformed leaders in Army modernization.
The stakes are high. With global threats on the rise, from an assertive Russia to an ascendant China, the U.S. Army must be prepared. AFC was designed to deliver the tools, technology, and capabilities required for future conflicts. Yet, without real authority, AFC remains a mere advisory body—a high-level brainstorming center when what we need is a nimble, proficient, and empowered engine of modernization.
The incoming administration has a chance to revive AFC’s original vision. Reinstating its budget authority would equip it in the fight against bureaucratic inertia, furnishing the necessary tools to mold the Army of the future. Let’s restore AFC to its former glory and in doing so, fortify our Army to stand strong for years to come. The future of U.S. military supremacy hinges on it.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times or ZeroHedge.
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