he annual "Unified Quest" futures war game held recently at the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was pretty impressive -- and also a refreshing change from my many previous forays.
Led by the human energizer Brigadier "HR" McMaster, this forum kicked off as a Very-Different-from-the-Big-Army event by enforcing a "NO POWERPOINT" rule. (OK, they showed about five slides over four-plus days.) Army insiders recognize how fundamentally heart-stopping this notion is among any audience of generals. A four-day conversation -- scary for some, I know!
Although labeled a "war game" (and based on some scarily realistic scenarios), this week was more of a graduate seminar for a fistful of Army generals and senior civilians, as well as a smattering of U.S. allies and partners. 4-star TRADOC Commander Marty Dempsey chaired all four days 00 a huge commitment that I've never seen made by his predecessors in earlier years.
A "powerpoint-free" setting actually encouraged a free-wheeling conversation all around the room -- light colonels and civilians challenging three-and four-star generals in surprisingly frank discussions. And on the couple of occasions they flipped up a slide, all conversation rapidly shut down -- quite telling. The atmospherics were surprisingly relaxed and open -- and everyone seemed feisty and ready to jump into any conversation -- another good sign.
The conference "deliverable" was both to spin up an Army "Operating Concept" to round out its recent overarching "Capstone Concept" and to provide Army Chief of Staff George Casey some hard-hitting recommendations that could be used to influence the shape of the Army via the 2014-2019 budget years -- decisions needed by next winter.
Now, you'll have to go read the article to see the list of non-attributed recommendations, but it's worth it.
By: Brant
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