How to ensure the Pentagon, Services, and acquisition community are focused on the right operational priorities without the need for special authorities.
"To address this continuing problem, some have made the case that 5-10% of the DoD’s investment budget should be allocated directly to the combatant commands so they can acquire their priority capabilities...Should CENTCOM and INDOPACOM be able to acquire different fighter jets or ships independently to meet their unique needs irrespective of the inevitable lifecycle cost implications?"
Just think...instead of having four air forces like the U.S. does today (five if you count the Coast Guard), we could have ten if each of the geographic commands had their own! And then, does USCYBERCOM need its own? Will USAFRICOM need to stand up its own sustainment enterprise? How about a depot at Air Base 101? (guess that's not feasible in the long-run).
BL, while the COCOMS don't get everything they want, the services help drive efficiency. And sometimes the COCOMS want things they don't need (do you want a squadron of F-35s, or do you need ground attack capability with a particular type of sensor, which the Air Force can provide in a number of ways?).
"To address this continuing problem, some have made the case that 5-10% of the DoD’s investment budget should be allocated directly to the combatant commands so they can acquire their priority capabilities...Should CENTCOM and INDOPACOM be able to acquire different fighter jets or ships independently to meet their unique needs irrespective of the inevitable lifecycle cost implications?"
Just think...instead of having four air forces like the U.S. does today (five if you count the Coast Guard), we could have ten if each of the geographic commands had their own! And then, does USCYBERCOM need its own? Will USAFRICOM need to stand up its own sustainment enterprise? How about a depot at Air Base 101? (guess that's not feasible in the long-run).
BL, while the COCOMS don't get everything they want, the services help drive efficiency. And sometimes the COCOMS want things they don't need (do you want a squadron of F-35s, or do you need ground attack capability with a particular type of sensor, which the Air Force can provide in a number of ways?).