What does the US Army secretary want to see more? The soldiers are out in the field, “think of what we have to do as an army,” he did not do PowerPoints, he told Business Insider.
US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, a former iron knight official and Iraqi war veteran, who became a senior civilian official two months ago, visited Alaska's 11th airborne department this week.
The visit sent a message about Driscoll's priorities.
In Alaska, where even in spring temperatures are in the 30s (in winter they can be 30 below), US soldiers make tirelessly respond to Arctic warfare challenges when the US is trying to focus on the Indo-Paicing Ocean.
During the call to BI, Driscoll and Major General Joseph Hillbert, the US Army Commander Alaska, and the 11th -airborne division, spoke about how the unit soldiers and their work in Alaska City meet US military management goals under President Donald Trump, which is popular with Letage.
Driscoll joined the soldiers on the Alaska Black Rapid training site while driving the soldiers. US Army photo author SGT. 1. Class Nicole Mejia
“Everything I saw here in the 11th air was focused on” several key questions, Driscoll said. “When we get into a conflict,” How are the army tools, “keep us alive and help us kill the enemy?”
Alaska soldiers that BI previously observed in activity test how equipment, weapons, airplanes, gears and many more truly low temperatures, harsh conditions and regular contact with unforgivable elements.
“They did not focus on things like PowerPoint slides and how they were able to provide better work products to the pentagon,” Driscoll said of the 11th -air division, saying to Bi that “they had suffered from the cold there.”
For a long time for innovation and iterative development, for a long time, such as the Soldier Touch Poins, the field and programs such as the Soldier Touch points.
In contrast Military briefings and training It can simplify ideas and concepts or unnecessarily complicated.
Such criticism has been over a decade. James Mattis, years before Trump, returned to the first Defense Minister when he was still the General of the Navy, said “PowerPoint would make us stupid.”
At the same 2010 event, the Army General Mr McMaster said, years later, Trump became a national advisor PowerPoint is “dangerous because it can cause the illusion of understanding and the illusion of control”. He said “some problems in the world are not a bullet -enhancing.”
Driscoll highly talked about his observed army unit, noting that management wants to support efforts to understand what the army needs for future fights. US Army photo author SGT. 1. Class Nicole Mejia
Driscoll and other army leaders want to signal that outdoor conditions are important. Not only do they promote Warfighter's readiness, but they allow decision -makers to receive feedback for the following steps and procurement plans.
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US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth has made its readiness and leadership priorities together with other US military officials. These have also been the goals of earlier administrations and this blurred expression is used to evaluate defense programs.
This focus on the Ministry of Defense has come with cutting unnecessary programs, such as diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, aspirations for the revival of the industrial base and the Pentagon budget changes.
During the candidacy of Hegset, he called up Revival of a warrior ethos in the military and has been pushing it since then.
“We are American warriors. We protect our country. Our standards are high, uncompromising and clear. Our military strength is our unity and common goal,” Hegsetth said after confirmation. Since then, he has promoted things like Dei and climate change initiatives.
Driscoll participated in the recovery of simulated accidents with the soldiers during the Spur Ride, one of several activities during the visit. US Army photo author SGT. 1. Class Nicole Mejia
In Alaska, soldiers have been the skills needed for the Arctic warfare. The army has increasingly recognized the strategic importance of the area, especially as competitors in Russia and China are becoming more and more active. The army released its Arctic strategy in 2021 and has worked to clarify these opportunities.
During the joint training of the Pacific International Readiness Center, 11 ran in the air and troops ran more than a dozen international allies and partner Wargames, adapting to freezing temperatures and unpredictable conditions.
The harsh environment encourages adjustment to systems – everything from gear to weapons and vehicles and helicopters must be changed and monitored.
Driscoll highlighted some of these adaptations during the chat, noting that in cold weather, many things – rubber, fuel, touch screens – affect.
Driscoll monitors the 1st Battalion soldiers, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Battle Team, 11th Air Division at the Alaska Yukon Training Center in the Air Division. US Army photo author SGT. 1. Class Nicole Mejia
“What is doing here throughout the winter is the withdrawal and testing of different devices,” he said. This is a critical learning process for troops, as soldiers revive their winter war skills after decades of wars in the Middle East.
During Alaska's visit, Driscoll looked at the air striking and participated and gained the opportunity for Alaska's strategic importance. He was also a witness to other 11.
More than assets, acting in the Arctic also requires employees to have a specific way of thinking about real -time innovations, the soldiers told bi in last year's war struggle exercise. This is a very harsh work environment.
The preservation of the fighting power in Alaska is part of the United States' focus on both the Indo-Paikse Ocean and Arctic. Leadership is strategically important for the Army and the larger army of the US.
