CARLISLE BARRACKS, Pa. (April 8, 2014) -- Under Secretary of the Army Brad R. Carson, and other senior Army leaders, participated in 'Leader Day' discussions with U.S. Army War College students about the Army's future strategic responsibilities.
Carson's remarks outlined how fiscal constraints will impact the Army's ability to meet future requirements. Focusing on the future, he emphasized the need for creative thought, and asked the students to consider, "Does our culture run counter to innovation and creativity?"
Carson urged the military's next senior leaders to think about how the future will develop and to continually analyze the U.S. Army's core competencies; focusing on the service's obligation to its "customers."
As an example, he told the story of the Polaroid Corporation. The company initially developed digital photography at a standard that far outpaced the competition, but then didn't keep pace with emerging technology because they never included this new market as a part of the company's core competency. Carson urged leaders in the class to avoid the "competency trap."
"Combat power is a great deterrent, but the Army must be more engaged in strategic discussions," Carson noted.
Carson highlighted the need for Army leaders to talk about solutions, seek improvement, and "protect and promote those with ideas."
The 25th Annual Strategy Conference, sponsored by the U.S. Army War College in partnership with the Joint Staff/ J7, occurs from April 8-10, 2014. This year's theme is "Balancing the Joint Force for Future Security Challenges." The conference is exploring the significant security challenges the U.S. and its allies are likely to confront in the coming decade, and panel discussions are addressing ways in which the U.S. military should be rebalanced to meet those challenges.
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