Gen. David G. Perkins, commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, discusses the Army's way ahead defined by the Army Operating Concept, "Win in a Complex World," during the opening day of the 2015 Global Force Symposium at the Van...
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (April 1, 2015) -- Gen. David G. Perkins, commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, or TRADOC, discussed the Army's way ahead during the opening day of the 2015 Global Force Symposium at the Van Braun Center here, March 31.
During the Association of the United States Army's exposition, Perkins explained the challenges that the future force will face using the Army Operating Concept, "Win in a Complex World."
"You're either winning or losing," said Perkins. "We define winning as exploiting the initiative to get to a position of relative advantage. I find winning not only possible, but desirable."
The concept of winning in a complex and unpredictable world is resonating throughout the Army, said Perkins.
"The Army now focuses on, 'how do we ensure we are winning, how do we ensure we are always in a position of relative advantage; that we are always seizing, retaining and exploiting the initiative," he said.
The Army's focus on fluid adaptability toward future conflict is essential, Perkins said.
"Whatever position you have today is going to change, even if it's a position of advantage, it's just a matter of time before it becomes a disadvantage or, at best remains neutral," he said.
As a result, the Army must continually evolve with more responsibilities required in developing and designing new capabilities to a wider audience.
"The Army does not buy things to fight, we develop capabilities to win in a complex world that is always changing, which influences a different kind of leader development model, a different kind of training and a different way of building the Army," Perkins said.
To win in a complex world, the Army must be led by innovative professionals who adapt quickly to ever changing threats.
"You have to always be moving forward and repositioning yourself because the world has changed and poses very complex problems for us. A complex world has unknowns, is unknowable and is constantly changing," Perkins explained.
Another focus area includes broad-spectrum operations with joint partners such as other services, inter- agency and international allies.
"To get to this position of relative advantage, the Army with its land force capabilities, must be the foundation through synchronizing efforts that the rest of the joint force plugs into. We must integrate partners to win as well," Perkins said.
Joint partnerships are a strategic advantage, as it creates multiple dilemmas for the enemy.
"If you provide the enemy with just one dilemma, for example -- just targeting them, what eventually happens is they learn to not be targeted by either avoiding it or using it against us.
"Multiple dilemmas provide a strategic conundrum for our enemies," Perkins said. "We must address winning at the tactical, operational and strategic levels of war. We want an Army that can win at all three levels."
Win in a Complex World
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