{"id":46838,"date":"2025-06-17T07:00:05","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T11:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/?p=46838"},"modified":"2025-08-07T19:44:46","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T23:44:46","slug":"focus-putting-force-design-first-logically","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-putting-force-design-first-logically\/","title":{"rendered":"Putting Force Design First \u2013 Logically"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"46838\" class=\"elementor elementor-46838\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d6b056 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9d6b056\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ac1684 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1ac1684\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0eddca elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d0eddca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"\/blog\">Focus: SPA Perspectives<\/a><\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-646ac95 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"646ac95\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84a3966 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"84a3966\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Categories: <a href=\"\/blog-capabilities\">Capabilities<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 <a href=\"\/blog-fellows\">SPA Fellows<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18d5caa e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"18d5caa\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f1a50c elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5f1a50c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Putting Force Design First \u2013 Logically<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c24eaa e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6c24eaa\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-981c12b e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"981c12b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7be1c91 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7be1c91\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/blog\/authors\/staff\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SPA_Logo_Mark.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-42470\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SPA_Logo_Mark.png 300w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/SPA_Logo_Mark-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-98cfdef e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"98cfdef\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc67b43 elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fc67b43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>Author: <span class=\"TextRun SCXW18904179 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW18904179 BCX0\"><a href=\"\/blog\/authors\/noel-williams\">LtCol Noel Williams<\/a>, USMC (Ret), SPA Fellow for USMC Strategy, Policy, and Force Development<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d0d089 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5d0d089\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c88c75 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"6c88c75\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-09fc93d elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-custom\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlexandria, VA | June 17, 2025\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0b54ef elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-leroux_core_social_share\" data-id=\"a0b54ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;bounce&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"leroux_core_social_share.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m  qodef-social-share clear qodef-layout--list \">\n\t\t<ul class=\"qodef-shortcode-list\">\n\t\t<li class=\"qodef-facebook-share\">\n\t<a itemprop=\"url\" class=\"qodef-share-link\" href=\"#\" onclick=\"window.open(&#039;https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spa.com%2Ffocus-putting-force-design-first-logically%2F&#039;, &#039;sharer&#039;, &#039;toolbar=0,status=0,width=620,height=280&#039;);\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"qodef-svg--facebook qodef-facebook-share\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M16 0C7.164 0 0 7.164 0 16s7.164 16 16 16 16-7.164 16-16c0-8.838-7.164-16-16-16zm4.136 15.998L17.514 16l-.002 9.6h-3.598V16h-2.4v-3.308l2.4-.002-.004-1.948c0-2.7.732-4.342 3.91-4.342h2.648v3.31h-1.656c-1.238 0-1.298.462-1.298 1.324l-.004 1.656h2.976l-.35 3.308z\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"qodef-twitter-share\">\n\t<a itemprop=\"url\" class=\"qodef-share-link\" href=\"#\" onclick=\"window.open(&#039;https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=In+a+time+of+accelerating+threats+and+rapid+technological+shifts%2C+the+U.S.+military+should++via+%40QodeInteractivehttps:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-putting-force-design-first-logically\/&#039;, &#039;popupwindow&#039;, &#039;scrollbars=yes,width=800,height=400&#039;);\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"qodef-svg--twitter qodef-twitter-share\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M16 0C7.164 0 0 7.164 0 16s7.164 16 16 16 16-7.164 16-16c0-8.838-7.164-16-16-16zm7.96 12.408c.008.17.012.34.012.51 0 5.206-3.962 11.208-11.208 11.208-2.224 0-4.294-.652-6.038-1.77.308.036.622.056.94.056 1.846 0 3.544-.63 4.892-1.686-1.724-.032-3.178-1.172-3.68-2.736.242.046.486.07.742.07.36 0 .708-.048 1.038-.138-1.802-.362-3.16-1.954-3.16-3.862v-.05c.532.296 1.138.472 1.784.494-1.056-.706-1.752-1.912-1.752-3.278 0-.722.194-1.398.532-1.98 1.942 2.384 4.846 3.952 8.12 4.116-.068-.288-.102-.59-.102-.898 0-2.174 1.764-3.938 3.94-3.938 1.132 0 2.156.478 2.876 1.244.898-.178 1.742-.506 2.502-.956-.294.92-.918 1.692-1.732 2.18.796-.094 1.556-.308 2.262-.62-.528.788-1.198 1.482-1.968 2.034z\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"qodef-linkedin-share\">\n\t<a itemprop=\"url\" class=\"qodef-share-link\" href=\"#\" onclick=\"popUp=window.open(&#039;https:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spa.com%2Ffocus-putting-force-design-first-logically%2F&amp;title=Putting+Force+Design+First+%E2%80%93+Logically&#039;, &#039;popupwindow&#039;, &#039;scrollbars=yes,width=800,height=400&#039;);popUp.focus();return false;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"qodef-svg--linkedin qodef-linkedin-share\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M16 0C7.164 0 0 7.164 0 16s7.164 16 16 16 16-7.164 16-16c0-8.838-7.164-16-16-16zm-4 23.75H8v-14h4v14zM10.124 8.892c-1.036 0-1.874-.84-1.874-1.876s.84-1.876 1.874-1.876C11.16 5.142 12 5.982 12 7.016c0 1.036-.84 1.876-1.876 1.876zM26 23.75h-4v-8.656c0-1.014-.29-1.724-1.536-1.724-2.066 0-2.464 1.724-2.464 1.724v8.656h-4v-14h4v1.338c.572-.438 2-1.336 4-1.336 1.298 0 4 .776 4 5.464v8.534z\" \/><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa16009 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"aa16009\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;slideshow&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_gallery&quot;:[],&quot;background_slideshow_loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_duration&quot;:5000,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_transition&quot;:&quot;fade&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_transition_duration&quot;:500}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e867db elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_separator\" data-id=\"4e867db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_separator.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-separator qodef-qi-clear qodef-separator--standard qodef-position--center\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-m-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f03b662 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f03b662\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW178432557 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span style=\"color: #1d75bc;\"><a style=\"color: #1d75bc;\" href=\"\/blog\/authors\/noel-williams\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW178432557 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"Intense Quote\">Noel Williams<\/span><\/a><\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW178432557 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"Intense Quote\"> is SPA\u2019 <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW178432557 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"Intense Quote\">Fellow for <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW178432557 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"Intense Quote\">USMC Strategy, Policy, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW178432557 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"Intense Quote\">and <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW178432557 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"Intense Quote\">Force Development<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW178432557 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:2,&quot;335551620&quot;:2,&quot;335559685&quot;:864,&quot;335559737&quot;:864,&quot;335559738&quot;:360,&quot;335559739&quot;:360,&quot;335572071&quot;:4,&quot;335572072&quot;:10,&quot;335572073&quot;:6375183,&quot;335572079&quot;:4,&quot;335572080&quot;:10,&quot;335572081&quot;:6375183,&quot;469789798&quot;:&quot;single&quot;,&quot;469789806&quot;:&quot;single&quot;}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ce23b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_separator\" data-id=\"1ce23b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_separator.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-separator qodef-qi-clear qodef-separator--standard qodef-position--center\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-m-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97a5d8a e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"97a5d8a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-172df86 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"172df86\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;slideshow&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_gallery&quot;:[],&quot;background_slideshow_loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_duration&quot;:5000,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_transition&quot;:&quot;fade&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_transition_duration&quot;:500}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a69541b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a69541b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"429\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/SPA_Fellow_NWilliams_D.jpg\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536 wp-image-28223\" alt=\"SPA Fellow Noel Williams\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/SPA_Fellow_NWilliams_D.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/SPA_Fellow_NWilliams_D-300x215.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">LtCol Noel Williams, USMC (Ret), SPA's Fellow for USMC Strategy, Policy, and Force Development<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d76fb90 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d76fb90\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc7b110 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dc7b110\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW221897279 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW221897279 BCX0\">In a time of accelerating threats and rapid technological shifts, the U.S. military should reconsider how it approaches force design in its modernization process. Force design <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW221897279 BCX0\">represents<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW221897279 BCX0\"> the logical first step in force modernization\u2014and it should be performed concurrently with development and employment, not sequentially as current doctrine suggests.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW221897279 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c06989 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2c06989\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW44132760 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44132760 BCX0\">Force design is not merely a checklist or a bureaucratic formality. It is a creative, systems-level process\u2014a way to build a coherent, threat-informed force capable of fighting and winning future wars. As I argued in my <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #1d75bc;\"><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW44132760 BCX0\" style=\"color: #1d75bc;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mca-marines.org\/gazette\/force-design-first-thing-first\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW44132760 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44132760 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Marine Corps Gazette<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW44132760 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44132760 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\"> article<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW44132760 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44132760 BCX0\">, &#8220;design is first and foremost an act of creation.&#8221; To prepare for the challenges ahead, the Joint Force would <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44132760 BCX0\">benefit<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW44132760 BCX0\"> from professionalizing this function, rethinking its doctrine, and aligning its organizations accordingly.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW44132760 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9184ff2 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default qodef-elementor-content-no\" data-id=\"9184ff2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e06b687 qodef-sticky-column--no\" data-id=\"e06b687\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67640ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"67640ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW114082101 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW114082101 BCX0\">What Is Force Design\u2014And How Is It Currently Positioned?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29eab8b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"29eab8b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW117424428 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW117424428 BCX0\">The Joint Staff defines force design in CJCSI 3030.01A as &#8220;a process of innovation through concept development, experimentation, prototyping, research, analysis, wargaming, and other applications of technology and methods to envision a future joint force.&#8221; The Marine Corps has embraced this concept since 2019, treating design as a centerpiece of transformation under the 38th Commandant. But across the broader Department of Defense, force design is often treated as a phase that follows current operations and precedes acquisition, positioned years in the future.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW117424428 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48e35a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"48e35a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW166160588 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW166160588 BCX0\">This positioning is problematic. Design should logically lead development and employment, just as an architect precedes a builder and occupant. The current CJCSI 3030.01A describes three <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW166160588 BCX0\">timeframes<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW166160588 BCX0\">:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW166160588 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3afcb01 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3afcb01\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33275ef e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"33275ef\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;slideshow&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_gallery&quot;:[],&quot;background_slideshow_loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_duration&quot;:5000,&quot;background_slideshow_slide_transition&quot;:&quot;fade&quot;,&quot;background_slideshow_transition_duration&quot;:500}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2aa4c1 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e2aa4c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SPA-putting-force-design-first-logically_01.jpg\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048 wp-image-46865\" alt=\"Design should logically lead development and employment, just as an architect precedes a builder and occupant. The current CJCSI 3030.01A describes three timeframes: Force Employment, Force Development, and Force Design.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SPA-putting-force-design-first-logically_01.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SPA-putting-force-design-first-logically_01-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SPA-putting-force-design-first-logically_01-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SPA-putting-force-design-first-logically_01-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SPA-putting-force-design-first-logically_01-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8eef670 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8eef670\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe679c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fe679c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW134601408 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW134601408 BCX0\">While any process naturally takes time, these artificial time horizons can be counterproductive.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW134601408 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45613db elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"45613db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW126598583 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW126598583 BCX0\">The Russo-Ukraine war has <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW126598583 BCX0\">demonstrated<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW126598583 BCX0\"> that such a time-specific process cannot work effectively. Forces must be designed and redesigned in important ways <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW126598583 BCX0\">in the near future<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW126598583 BCX0\">, and the inability of a force to do so means defeat. Today&#8217;s security environment demands near-term force redesign to keep pace with peer adversaries. That makes force design a continuous task rather than a distant, one-time event.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW126598583 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f9fbaa6 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default qodef-elementor-content-no\" data-id=\"f9fbaa6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-478f8e6 qodef-sticky-column--no\" data-id=\"478f8e6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca1face elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ca1face\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW25551436 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW25551436 BCX0\">A Critical Distinction: Concept-Driven vs. Threat-Based Planning<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW25551436 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31662d7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"31662d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW189188766 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW189188766 BCX0\">Calling out distinctions between concept-informed\/concept-driven and threat-based\/threat-informed may seem overly pedantic, but these distinctions have significance beyond semantic nitpicks. The shift to capabilities-based planning (CBP) in the early 2000s under Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld replaced threat-based design with a model that treated enemies as abstract sets of technologies without connection to geography, culture, or fighting <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW189188766 BCX0\">methodology<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW189188766 BCX0\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW189188766 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68866f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"68866f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW82672913 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW82672913 BCX0\">This approach encouraged military planning to shift focus inward rather than on the enemy, allowing institutional preferences to prevail over war-winning imperatives. The result was a force modernization effort that focused on refining legacy systems (e.g., better tactical <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW82672913 BCX0\">aircraft<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW82672913 BCX0\"> and towed artillery) instead of developing more innovative capabilities like uncrewed systems, loitering munitions, or agile command-and-control networks.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW82672913 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50e0d67 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"50e0d67\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c66a936 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c66a936\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW92680672 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW92680672 BCX0\">The most important contribution of the 2018 National Defense Strategy was the unequivocal shift back to threat-based planning. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW92680672 BCX0\">Subsequent<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW92680672 BCX0\"> joint doctrine made improvements to how the Department approaches planning, requirements development, and solutions development. Yet adjustments must continue given the changing nature of threats, technologies, budgets, and strategies.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW92680672 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ecd0cfe e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ecd0cfe\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d58980e e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d58980e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ce8bc6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0ce8bc6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW222370288 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW222370288 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 2\">Shift the Sequence: From Time-Based to Logic-Based Design<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW222370288 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce1bf87 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ce1bf87\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d25638b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d25638b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW199252403 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW199252403 BCX0\">Current doctrine divides force planning into three distinct <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW199252403 BCX0\">timeframes<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW199252403 BCX0\">, with Force Design positioned farthest in the future. This sequencing implies that design occurs <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW199252403 BCX0\">mainly in<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW199252403 BCX0\"> the distant <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW199252403 BCX0\">timeframe<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW199252403 BCX0\">. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW199252403 BCX0\">But in reality, the<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW199252403 BCX0\"> logical sequence should be:<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW199252403 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9be5ec1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9be5ec1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW256798579 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW256798579 BCX0\">It is critical that designers, developers, and operators <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW256798579 BCX0\">maintain<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW256798579 BCX0\"> a continuous dialog to ensure healthy feedback loops for rapid adjustment to processes and plans. The current time-dependent characterization serves as an implicit segmentation that discourages interactions among these groups and thus compromises essential feedback.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW256798579 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-529b1f8 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"529b1f8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3e7031 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f3e7031\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SPA-putting-force-design-first-logically_02-1024x576.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-46869\" alt=\"From Time-Based to Logic-Based Design\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SPA-putting-force-design-first-logically_02-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SPA-putting-force-design-first-logically_02-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SPA-putting-force-design-first-logically_02-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SPA-putting-force-design-first-logically_02-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SPA-putting-force-design-first-logically_02.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-618c22a e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"618c22a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72dbf72 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"72dbf72\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b43c05a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b43c05a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW247096562 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW247096562 BCX0\">Forward-deployed commanders and operating forces are increasingly conversant in both current and future adversary capabilities. When they ask for capabilities to counter existing and near-term adversary threats, they are often asking for capabilities far in advance of <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW247096562 BCX0\">what&#8217;s<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW247096562 BCX0\"> currently planned in the acquisition pipeline.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW247096562 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77f8c41 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"77f8c41\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ec8c89 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4ec8c89\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eca11fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eca11fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW91368246 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW91368246 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 2\">Vision First, Not Concepts First<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW91368246 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd5e10f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dd5e10f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW26580449 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW26580449 BCX0\">CJCSI 3003.01A states, &#8220;Concept-driven, threat-informed, capability development begins with a vision of the future operating environment that guides the DOD through a campaign of learning to identify the capabilities required to achieve the objectives established in national strategic guidance.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW26580449 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f01aab8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f01aab8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW5579592 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW5579592 BCX0\">However, concepts should not be the primary driver. Force Design should be concept-informed rather than concept-driven. Vision\u2014a hypothesis about the desired attributes of the future force needed to solve a specific military problem\u2014should come first. As Einstein said, &#8220;If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW5579592 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-afb2a85 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"afb2a85\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW155531508 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW155531508 BCX0\">Concepts are useful because they pull together desired attributes into a coherent whole, but they are of varying quality and utility. Deconstructing concepts to transliterate them from conceptual think pieces to mechanistic lists, and then converting these lists to gaps and requirements, is likely to lead to confusion as the logical structure of force design is removed from the process.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW155531508 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a611a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4a611a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW243133434 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW243133434 BCX0\">An architect does not take a pile of materials and build a house from what is in the pile. Similarly, force designers should not simply compile lists from concepts without <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW243133434 BCX0\">maintaining<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW243133434 BCX0\"> the systems perspective that makes those concepts meaningful.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW243133434 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f01f02c e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f01f02c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba2570e e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ba2570e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2193e07 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2193e07\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Watch: Noel Williams, SPA Fellow for USMC Strategy, Policy, and Force Development interview<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-daeb8d2 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"daeb8d2\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b3ef6c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"b3ef6c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/Bk_b9H7NpLI&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3f8a02 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c3f8a02\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa095a1 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fa095a1\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d43346 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0d43346\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW61840386 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW61840386 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 2\">Force Design Requires Professionals<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW61840386 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c1e8cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9c1e8cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW77312724 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW77312724 BCX0\">Currently, the Marine Corps&#8217; combat development organization (CD&amp;I) lacks dedicated force designers and instead relies upon ad hoc process teams, study groups, and organizational reviews. The <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW77312724 BCX0\">initial<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW77312724 BCX0\"> planning for Force Design 2030 was performed by an ad hoc group known as Provident Stare. When this work was handed off to the Deputy Commandant CD&amp;I, they had to <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW77312724 BCX0\">proceed<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW77312724 BCX0\"> with a continuing series of integrated product team efforts focused on pieces of the overarching design. This approach structurally exposes the process to discontinuities and confusion given the lack of continuity.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW77312724 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55acfc6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"55acfc6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW212009566 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212009566 BCX0\">The Army has addressed this challenge by creating a force management occupational specialty (FA 50) and <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212009566 BCX0\">establishing<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212009566 BCX0\"> a Futures Command headed by a four-star general. The Marine Corps could consider a similar approach by converting existing capability portfolio managers (CPMs)\u2014active-duty colonels\u2014to force designers<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW212009566 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1c5657 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d1c5657\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW143682238 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW143682238 BCX0\">These force designers would work together as an integrated team, with research, seminars, and supporting analysis culminating in the development of a blueprint for the Objective Force. Their routine would include regular briefings on concepts, guest speakers from academic and military institutions, and travel to exercises, experiments, wargames, and industry partners.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW143682238 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8993fe1 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8993fe1\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd9a468 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"dd9a468\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d8768d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3d8768d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW22069922 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW22069922 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 2\">Align Development and Solutions with Design<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW22069922 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2f4966 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d2f4966\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW234763563 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW234763563 BCX0\">Once the blueprint is <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW234763563 BCX0\">established<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW234763563 BCX0\">, force developers (who could be redesignated from deputy CPMs) would translate the vision into detailed requirements or problem statements. These should be directly aligned with the design portfolios.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW234763563 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d66eff0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d66eff0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW15789960 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW15789960 BCX0\">Force developers would focus exclusively on requirements and problem statement development. Solutions would best be <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW15789960 BCX0\">accomplished<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW15789960 BCX0\"> by solution developers under a single roof to <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW15789960 BCX0\">benefit<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW15789960 BCX0\"> from multi-disciplinary <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW15789960 BCX0\">expertise<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW15789960 BCX0\">. Force developers would work in close coordination with solution developers to continually refine requirements while <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW15789960 BCX0\">benefiting<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW15789960 BCX0\"> from the creative tension caused by the clear separation of responsibilities<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW15789960 BCX0\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW15789960 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46cbe0e e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"46cbe0e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ce42f2 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0ce42f2\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3dcbaae elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3dcbaae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW16422600 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW16422600 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 2\">A Call to Evolve Doctrine, Culture, and Capability<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW16422600 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6338daa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6338daa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW125419003 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW125419003 BCX0\">The Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) should be benchmarked against real-world conflicts like the Russo-Ukrainian War and its ability to deliver capabilities as defined by operational commanders. If it cannot deliver against these tests at the speed of relevance, it should be reconsidered.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW125419003 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cefab47 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cefab47\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e20049 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6e20049\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0042cb4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0042cb4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>&#8220;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45fc405 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"45fc405\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e1404b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1e1404b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t&#8220;Force design is not about producing another list. It&#8217;s about building a system\u2014based on threats, refined through vision, informed by concepts, and tested through warfighting logic. It forms the foundation of modernization and should be treated as such in our doctrine and processes.&#8221;\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f8d38a e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0f8d38a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-858d5b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"858d5b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t&#8211; LtCol Noel Williams, USMC (Ret), SPA&#8217;s Fellow for USMC Strategy, Policy, and Force Development\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf90e15 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bf90e15\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35cbb3b e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"35cbb3b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef62958 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ef62958\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW148371763 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW148371763 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 2\">Conclusion: Make the First Thing First<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW148371763 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b2c850 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5b2c850\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW114825316 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW114825316 BCX0\">Force design is where innovation and force modernization begin. It should become a permanent, professionalized, and prioritized discipline across all Services<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW114825316 BCX0\">. The traditional incremental approach to force development worked in an era of incremental change, but the increasing complexity of the modern battlefield requires a more sophisticated approach.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW114825316 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af014d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"af014d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW41084643 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW41084643 BCX0\">Force design is the locus of innovation and the architect of force development; we should evolve our processes and organization and professionalize the force design workforce to do it effectively<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW41084643 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW41084643 BCX0\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW41084643 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9fb5c0f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9fb5c0f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW127077104 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127077104 BCX0\">Read Noel\u2019s <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127077104 BCX0\">previous<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127077104 BCX0\"> post<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127077104 BCX0\">, \u201c<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #1d75bc;\"><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW127077104 BCX0\" style=\"color: #1d75bc;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-shaping-the-future-of-force-design-and-structure-in-an-era-of-rapid-technological-change\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW127077104 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127077104 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Shaping the Future of Force Design and Structure in an Era of Rapid Technological Change<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW127077104 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127077104 BCX0\">\u201d<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW127077104 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa0e9a6 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"fa0e9a6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e817b1 e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0e817b1\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3757a38 elementor-widget elementor-widget-leroux_core_button\" data-id=\"3757a38\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"leroux_core_button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m  qodef-button qodef-layout--filled   qodef-html--link\" href=\"\/signup\" target=\"_self\" data-hover-color=\"#F3F3F3\" data-hover-background-color=\"#1D75BC\" data-hover-border-color=\"#19272B\" style=\"color: #474747;background-color: #F7BB29;border-color: #19272B;font-size: 20px;font-weight: 400;text-transform: none\">\n    <span class=\"qodef-m-text\">Subscribe for Future FOCUS: SPA Perspectives Updates<\/span>\n    <span class=\"qodef-m-arrow\"><svg class=\"qodef-svg--button-arrow\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 9.8 9.8\"><g><path d=\"m.4 9.4 9-9\"\/><path d=\"M.4.5h8.9\"\/><path d=\"M9.3 9.4V.5\"\/><\/g><g><path d=\"m.4 9.4 9-9\"\/><path d=\"M.4.5h8.9\"\/><path d=\"M9.3 9.4V.5\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/span>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d8a80b e-con-full e-flex qodef-elementor-content-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3d8a80b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68b7b4a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"68b7b4a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related Posts<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7b05f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-leroux_core_blog_list\" data-id=\"c7b05f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"leroux_core_blog_list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m  qodef-blog qodef--list qodef-item-layout--standard   qodef-grid qodef-layout--columns    qodef-col-num--3 qodef-item-layout--standard qodef-pagination--off qodef-responsive--predefined\" data-options=\"{&quot;plugin&quot;:&quot;leroux_core&quot;,&quot;module&quot;:&quot;blog\\\/shortcodes&quot;,&quot;shortcode&quot;:&quot;blog-list&quot;,&quot;post_type&quot;:&quot;post&quot;,&quot;next_page&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;max_pages_num&quot;:6,&quot;behavior&quot;:&quot;columns&quot;,&quot;images_proportion&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;columns&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;columns_responsive&quot;:&quot;predefined&quot;,&quot;posts_per_page&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;orderby&quot;:&quot;date&quot;,&quot;order&quot;:&quot;DESC&quot;,&quot;additional_params&quot;:&quot;tax&quot;,&quot;tax&quot;:&quot;category&quot;,&quot;tax_slug&quot;:&quot;capabilities&quot;,&quot;layout&quot;:&quot;standard&quot;,&quot;title_tag&quot;:&quot;h6&quot;,&quot;enable_filter&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;pagination_type&quot;:&quot;no-pagination&quot;,&quot;object_class_name&quot;:&quot;LerouxCore_Blog_List_Shortcode&quot;,&quot;taxonomy_filter&quot;:&quot;category&quot;,&quot;additional_query_args&quot;:{&quot;tax_query&quot;:[{&quot;taxonomy&quot;:&quot;category&quot;,&quot;field&quot;:&quot;slug&quot;,&quot;terms&quot;:&quot;capabilities&quot;}]}}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-grid-inner\">\n\t\t<article class=\"qodef-e qodef-blog-item qodef-grid-item qodef-item--full post-48890 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-capabilities category-blog category-national-security-infrastructure-protection category-software-cyber-cloud-computing tag-and-cloud-computing tag-cabaniss tag-chip-manufacturing tag-chip-war tag-cyber tag-defense-tech tag-national-security tag-semiconductors tag-software tag-spa tag-supply-chain-resilience tag-systems-planning-analysis tag-technology-policy\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-media\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-media-image\">\n\t\t<a itemprop=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-beyond-the-chip-why-national-security-depends-on-the-entire-semiconductor-ecosystem\/\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FOCUS-SPA-Perspectives-Beyond-the-Chip-Why-National-Security-Depends-on-the-Entire-Semiconductor-Ecosystem.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"FOCUS: SPA Perspectives Beyond the Chip: Why National Security Depends on the Entire Semiconductor Ecosystem blog\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FOCUS-SPA-Perspectives-Beyond-the-Chip-Why-National-Security-Depends-on-the-Entire-Semiconductor-Ecosystem.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FOCUS-SPA-Perspectives-Beyond-the-Chip-Why-National-Security-Depends-on-the-Entire-Semiconductor-Ecosystem-300x120.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FOCUS-SPA-Perspectives-Beyond-the-Chip-Why-National-Security-Depends-on-the-Entire-Semiconductor-Ecosystem-1024x410.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FOCUS-SPA-Perspectives-Beyond-the-Chip-Why-National-Security-Depends-on-the-Entire-Semiconductor-Ecosystem-768x307.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/FOCUS-SPA-Perspectives-Beyond-the-Chip-Why-National-Security-Depends-on-the-Entire-Semiconductor-Ecosystem-1536x614.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<a itemprop=\"dateCreated\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/2025\/08\/\" class=\"entry-date qodef-list-date \">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-day\">\n\t\t\t13\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-month\">\n\t\t\tAug\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-top-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/capabilities\/\" rel=\"tag\">Capabilities<\/a><span class=\"qodef-info-category-separator-single\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"tag\">Focus - SPA Perspectives<\/a><span class=\"qodef-info-category-separator-single\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/capabilities\/national-security-infrastructure-protection\/\" rel=\"tag\">National Security and Infrastructure Protection<\/a><span class=\"qodef-info-category-separator-single\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/capabilities\/software-cyber-cloud-computing\/\" rel=\"tag\">Software, Cyber, and Cloud Computing<\/a><div class=\"qodef-info-separator-end\"><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h6 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"qodef-e-title entry-title\" >\n\t<a itemprop=\"url\" class=\"qodef-e-title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-beyond-the-chip-why-national-security-depends-on-the-entire-semiconductor-ecosystem\/\">\n\t\tBeyond the Chip: Why National Security Depends on the Entire Semiconductor Ecosystem\t<\/a>\n<\/h6>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-bottom-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-read-more\">\n\t\t<a class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m  qodef-button qodef-layout--filled   qodef-html--link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-beyond-the-chip-why-national-security-depends-on-the-entire-semiconductor-ecosystem\/\" target=\"_self\"  >    <span class=\"qodef-m-text\">Read More<\/span>    <span class=\"qodef-m-arrow\"><svg class=\"qodef-svg--button-arrow\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 9.8 9.8\"><g><path d=\"m.4 9.4 9-9\"\/><path d=\"M.4.5h8.9\"\/><path d=\"M9.3 9.4V.5\"\/><\/g><g><path d=\"m.4 9.4 9-9\"\/><path d=\"M.4.5h8.9\"\/><path d=\"M9.3 9.4V.5\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-right qodef-e-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"qodef-e qodef-blog-item qodef-grid-item qodef-item--full post-48546 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-capabilities category-blog category-software-cyber-cloud-computing tag-blog tag-capabilities tag-cloud-computing tag-cyber tag-software tag-space-and-missile-defense tag-systems-engineering-meteyer tag-systems-planning-analysis tag-united-states-space-force\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-media\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-media-image\">\n\t\t<a itemprop=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-space-warfare-how-the-u-s-can-stay-ahead-in-the-orbital-arms-race\/\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SPA-FOCUS-Space-Warfare-How-the-U.S.-Can-Stay-Ahead-in-the-Orbital-Arms-Race.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"FOCUS: SPA Perspectives blog post: Space Warfare: How the U.S. Can Stay Ahead in the Orbital Arms Race\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SPA-FOCUS-Space-Warfare-How-the-U.S.-Can-Stay-Ahead-in-the-Orbital-Arms-Race.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SPA-FOCUS-Space-Warfare-How-the-U.S.-Can-Stay-Ahead-in-the-Orbital-Arms-Race-300x120.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SPA-FOCUS-Space-Warfare-How-the-U.S.-Can-Stay-Ahead-in-the-Orbital-Arms-Race-1024x410.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SPA-FOCUS-Space-Warfare-How-the-U.S.-Can-Stay-Ahead-in-the-Orbital-Arms-Race-768x307.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/SPA-FOCUS-Space-Warfare-How-the-U.S.-Can-Stay-Ahead-in-the-Orbital-Arms-Race-1536x614.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<a itemprop=\"dateCreated\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/2025\/08\/\" class=\"entry-date qodef-list-date \">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-day\">\n\t\t\t06\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-month\">\n\t\t\tAug\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-top-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/capabilities\/\" rel=\"tag\">Capabilities<\/a><span class=\"qodef-info-category-separator-single\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"tag\">Focus - SPA Perspectives<\/a><span class=\"qodef-info-category-separator-single\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/capabilities\/software-cyber-cloud-computing\/\" rel=\"tag\">Software, Cyber, and Cloud Computing<\/a><div class=\"qodef-info-separator-end\"><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h6 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"qodef-e-title entry-title\" >\n\t<a itemprop=\"url\" class=\"qodef-e-title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-space-warfare-how-the-u-s-can-stay-ahead-in-the-orbital-arms-race\/\">\n\t\tSpace Warfare: How the U.S. Can Stay Ahead in the Orbital Arms Race\t<\/a>\n<\/h6>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-bottom-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-read-more\">\n\t\t<a class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m  qodef-button qodef-layout--filled   qodef-html--link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-space-warfare-how-the-u-s-can-stay-ahead-in-the-orbital-arms-race\/\" target=\"_self\"  >    <span class=\"qodef-m-text\">Read More<\/span>    <span class=\"qodef-m-arrow\"><svg class=\"qodef-svg--button-arrow\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 9.8 9.8\"><g><path d=\"m.4 9.4 9-9\"\/><path d=\"M.4.5h8.9\"\/><path d=\"M9.3 9.4V.5\"\/><\/g><g><path d=\"m.4 9.4 9-9\"\/><path d=\"M.4.5h8.9\"\/><path d=\"M9.3 9.4V.5\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-right qodef-e-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"qodef-e qodef-blog-item qodef-grid-item qodef-item--full post-48081 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-capabilities category-blog category-systems-engineering-integration tag-blog tag-capabilities tag-space-and-missile-defense tag-systems-engineering-meteyer tag-systems-planning-analysis tag-united-states-space-force\">\n\t<div class=\"qodef-e-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-media\">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-media-image\">\n\t\t<a itemprop=\"url\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-operating-in-a-contested-orbit-why-culture-and-doctrine-are-key-elements-of-space-superiority\/\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Operating-in-a-Contested-Orbit-Why-Culture-and-Doctrine-Are-Key-Elements-of-Space-Superiority.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Operating-in-a-Contested-Orbit-Why-Culture-and-Doctrine-Are-Key-Elements-of-Space-Superiority.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Operating-in-a-Contested-Orbit-Why-Culture-and-Doctrine-Are-Key-Elements-of-Space-Superiority-300x120.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Operating-in-a-Contested-Orbit-Why-Culture-and-Doctrine-Are-Key-Elements-of-Space-Superiority-1024x410.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Operating-in-a-Contested-Orbit-Why-Culture-and-Doctrine-Are-Key-Elements-of-Space-Superiority-768x307.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Operating-in-a-Contested-Orbit-Why-Culture-and-Doctrine-Are-Key-Elements-of-Space-Superiority-1536x614.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<a itemprop=\"dateCreated\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/2025\/07\/\" class=\"entry-date qodef-list-date \">\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-day\">\n\t\t\t30\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-month\">\n\t\t\tJul\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-content\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-top-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/capabilities\/\" rel=\"tag\">Capabilities<\/a><span class=\"qodef-info-category-separator-single\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"tag\">Focus - SPA Perspectives<\/a><span class=\"qodef-info-category-separator-single\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/category\/blog\/capabilities\/systems-engineering-integration\/\" rel=\"tag\">Systems Engineering and Integration\u200b<\/a><div class=\"qodef-info-separator-end\"><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h6 itemprop=\"name\" class=\"qodef-e-title entry-title\" >\n\t<a itemprop=\"url\" class=\"qodef-e-title-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-operating-in-a-contested-orbit-why-culture-and-doctrine-are-key-elements-of-space-superiority\/\">\n\t\tOperating in a Contested Orbit: Why Culture and Doctrine Are Key Elements of Space Superiority\t<\/a>\n<\/h6>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-bottom-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-read-more\">\n\t\t<a class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m  qodef-button qodef-layout--filled   qodef-html--link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/focus-operating-in-a-contested-orbit-why-culture-and-doctrine-are-key-elements-of-space-superiority\/\" target=\"_self\"  >    <span class=\"qodef-m-text\">Read More<\/span>    <span class=\"qodef-m-arrow\"><svg class=\"qodef-svg--button-arrow\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 9.8 9.8\"><g><path d=\"m.4 9.4 9-9\"\/><path d=\"M.4.5h8.9\"\/><path d=\"M9.3 9.4V.5\"\/><\/g><g><path d=\"m.4 9.4 9-9\"\/><path d=\"M.4.5h8.9\"\/><path d=\"M9.3 9.4V.5\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/a>\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-e-right qodef-e-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-28a597b elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default qodef-elementor-content-no\" data-id=\"28a597b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4303de9 qodef-sticky-column--no\" data-id=\"4303de9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b46353f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b46353f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentStart CommentHighlightPipeRest CommentHighlightRest SCXW67676624 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"Normal (Web)\">We invite you to subscribe and stay informed<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightPipeRest SCXW67676624 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"Normal (Web)\">. Never miss an update as we continue providing the rigorous insights and expert analysis you rely upon to protect and advance our national security.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5fff87c elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_contact_form_7\" data-id=\"5fff87c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_contact_form_7.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-contact-form-7\">\n\t\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f42446-o1\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"42446\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46838#wpcf7-f42446-o1\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"42446\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.1.1\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_US\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f42446-o1\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_recaptcha_response\" value=\"\" \/>\n<\/fieldset>\n<div class=\"qodef-get-in-touch qodef-cf7-skin--dark\">\n<div class=\"qodef-input-holder\">\n\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"your-name\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Your name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"your-name\" \/><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"qodef-input-holder\">\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"your-email\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-email wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-email\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Your email\" value=\"\" type=\"email\" name=\"your-email\" \/><\/span>\n<\/div><br \/>\n\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"accept\"><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-acceptance\"><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item\"><label><input type=\"checkbox\" name=\"accept\" value=\"1\" aria-invalid=\"false\" \/><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">I agree to sign up for email updates from FOCUS: SPA Perspectives.<\/span><\/label><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n\n<br \/><button class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-button qodef-layout--filled qodef-html--link qodef-button qodef-size--normal qodef-layout--filled qodef-m\" id=\"cf7Submit\" type=\"submit\"><span class=\"qodef-m-text\">Sign up<\/span><span class=\"qodef-m-arrow\"><svg class=\"qodef-svg--button-arrow\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 9.8 9.8\"><g><path d=\"m.4 9.4 9-9\"\/><path d=\"M.4.5h8.9\"\/><path d=\"M9.3 9.4V.5\"\/><\/g><g><path d=\"m.4 9.4 9-9\"\/><path d=\"M.4.5h8.9\"\/><path d=\"M9.3 9.4V.5\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/button>\n<\/div><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28d999a elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-widget elementor-widget-qi_addons_for_elementor_contact_form_7\" data-id=\"28d999a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"qi_addons_for_elementor_contact_form_7.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-qi-contact-form-7\">\n\t\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f42446-o2\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"42446\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46838#wpcf7-f42446-o2\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"42446\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.1.1\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_US\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f42446-o2\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_recaptcha_response\" value=\"\" \/>\n<\/fieldset>\n<div class=\"qodef-get-in-touch qodef-cf7-skin--dark\">\n<div class=\"qodef-input-holder\">\n\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"your-name\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Your name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"your-name\" \/><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"qodef-input-holder\">\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"your-email\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-email wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-email\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Your email\" value=\"\" type=\"email\" name=\"your-email\" \/><\/span>\n<\/div><br \/>\n\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"accept\"><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-acceptance\"><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item\"><label><input type=\"checkbox\" name=\"accept\" value=\"1\" aria-invalid=\"false\" \/><span class=\"wpcf7-list-item-label\">I agree to sign up for email updates from FOCUS: SPA Perspectives.<\/span><\/label><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n\n<br \/><button class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit qodef-shortcode qodef-m qodef-button qodef-layout--filled qodef-html--link qodef-button qodef-size--normal qodef-layout--filled qodef-m\" type=\"submit\"><span class=\"qodef-m-text\">Sign up<\/span><span class=\"qodef-m-arrow\"><svg class=\"qodef-svg--button-arrow\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10\" height=\"10\" viewBox=\"0 0 9.8 9.8\"><g><path d=\"m.4 9.4 9-9\"\/><path d=\"M.4.5h8.9\"\/><path d=\"M9.3 9.4V.5\"\/><\/g><g><path d=\"m.4 9.4 9-9\"\/><path d=\"M.4.5h8.9\"\/><path d=\"M9.3 9.4V.5\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/button>\n<\/div><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a time of accelerating threats and rapid technological shifts, the U.S. military should reconsider how it approaches force design in its modernization process. Force design represents the logical first step in force modernization\u2014and it should be performed concurrently with development and employment, not sequentially as current doctrine suggests. <\/p>\n<div class='heateor_sss_sharing_container heateor_sss_vertical_sharing heateor_sss_bottom_sharing' style='width:34px;left: -10px;top: 300px;-webkit-box-shadow:none;box-shadow:none;' data-heateor-sss-href='https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46838'><div class=\"heateor_sss_sharing_ul\"><a aria-label=\"Email\" class=\"heateor_sss_email\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46838\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault();window.open('mailto:?subject=' + decodeURIComponent('SPA%20-%20Objective.%20Responsive.%20Trusted.').replace('&', '%26') + '&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spa.com%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F46838', '_blank')\" title=\"Email\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg\" style=\"background-color:#649a3f;width:30px;height:30px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"-.75 -.5 36 36\"><path d=\"M 5.5 11 h 23 v 1 l -11 6 l -11 -6 v -1 m 0 2 l 11 6 l 11 -6 v 11 h -22 v -11\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"#f3f3f3\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Linkedin\" class=\"heateor_sss_button_linkedin\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spa.com%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F46838\" title=\"Linkedin\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg heateor_sss_s__default heateor_sss_s_linkedin\" style=\"background-color:#0077b5;width:30px;height:30px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\"><path d=\"M6.227 12.61h4.19v13.48h-4.19V12.61zm2.095-6.7a2.43 2.43 0 0 1 0 4.86c-1.344 0-2.428-1.09-2.428-2.43s1.084-2.43 2.428-2.43m4.72 6.7h4.02v1.84h.058c.56-1.058 1.927-2.176 3.965-2.176 4.238 0 5.02 2.792 5.02 6.42v7.395h-4.183v-6.56c0-1.564-.03-3.574-2.178-3.574-2.18 0-2.514 1.7-2.514 3.46v6.668h-4.187V12.61z\" fill=\"#f3f3f3\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Facebook\" class=\"heateor_sss_facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spa.com%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F46838\" title=\"Facebook\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg\" style=\"background-color:#0765FE;width:30px;height:30px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\"><path fill=\"#f3f3f3\" d=\"M28 16c0-6.627-5.373-12-12-12S4 9.373 4 16c0 5.628 3.875 10.35 9.101 11.647v-7.98h-2.474V16H13.1v-1.58c0-4.085 1.849-5.978 5.859-5.978.76 0 2.072.15 2.608.298v3.325c-.283-.03-.775-.045-1.386-.045-1.967 0-2.728.745-2.728 2.683V16h3.92l-.673 3.667h-3.247v8.245C23.395 27.195 28 22.135 28 16Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Bluesky\" class=\"heateor_sss_button_bluesky\" href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/intent\/compose?text=SPA%20-%20Objective.%20Responsive.%20Trusted.%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spa.com%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F46838\" title=\"Bluesky\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg heateor_sss_s__default heateor_sss_s_bluesky\" style=\"background-color:#0085ff;width:30px;height:30px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"-3 -3 38 38\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M16 14.903c-.996-1.928-3.709-5.521-6.231-7.293C7.353 5.912 6.43 6.206 5.827 6.478 5.127 6.793 5 7.861 5 8.49s.346 5.155.572 5.91c.747 2.496 3.404 3.34 5.851 3.07.125-.02.252-.036.38-.052-.126.02-.253.037-.38.051-3.586.529-6.771 1.83-2.594 6.457 4.595 4.735 6.297-1.015 7.171-3.93.874 2.915 1.88 8.458 7.089 3.93 3.911-3.93 1.074-5.928-2.512-6.457a8.122 8.122 0 0 1-.38-.051c.128.016.255.033.38.051 2.447.271 5.104-.573 5.85-3.069.227-.755.573-5.281.573-5.91 0-.629-.127-1.697-.827-2.012-.604-.271-1.526-.566-3.942 1.132-2.522 1.772-5.235 5.365-6.231 7.293Z\" fill=\"#f3f3f3\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"X\" class=\"heateor_sss_button_x\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=SPA%20-%20Objective.%20Responsive.%20Trusted.&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spa.com%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F46838\" title=\"X\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg heateor_sss_s__default heateor_sss_s_x\" style=\"background-color:#2a2a2a;width:30px;height:30px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\"><path fill=\"#f3f3f3\" d=\"M21.751 7h3.067l-6.7 7.658L26 25.078h-6.172l-4.833-6.32-5.531 6.32h-3.07l7.167-8.19L6 7h6.328l4.37 5.777L21.75 7Zm-1.076 16.242h1.7L11.404 8.74H9.58l11.094 14.503Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a class=\"heateor_sss_more\" aria-label=\"More\" title=\"More\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" style=\"font-size: 32px!important;border:0;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block!important;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align: middle;display:inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46838\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault()\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg\" style=\"background-color:#ee8e2d;width:30px;height:30px;margin:0;display:inline-block!important;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;display:inline;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box;\" onclick=\"heateorSssMoreSharingPopup(this, 'https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46838', 'SPA%20-%20Objective.%20Responsive.%20Trusted.', '' )\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" viewBox=\"-.3 0 32 32\" version=\"1.1\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" style=\"display:block;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><path fill=\"#f3f3f3\" d=\"M18 14V8h-4v6H8v4h6v6h4v-6h6v-4h-6z\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"heateorSssClear\"><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":46887,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[639,602,659,640],"tags":[546,635,629,544,551,711,634],"class_list":["post-46838","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-capabilities","category-blog","category-future-force-assessment","category-fellows","tag-capabilities","tag-fellows","tag-future-force-assessment","tag-spa","tag-systems-planning-analysis","tag-usmc","tag-williams"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46838","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46838"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46838\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48796,"href":"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46838\/revisions\/48796"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46887"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46838"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46838"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46838"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}