By Jim Garamone
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
While change and innovation are crucial to the U.S. military, leaders have to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
U.S. Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivers the graduation address at the National Defense University’s 2016 Graduation ceremony on Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., June 9, 2016. NDU provides Joint Professional Military Education to senior leaders of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others, which prepares students to think and operate effectively at the highest levels in an increasingly dynamic, complex and unpredictable international security environment. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp
That, in essence, is what the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told the graduating class of the National Defense University at Fort McNair this week.
During his speech, Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford presented a convincing argument on the need for change and innovation in the military. He is worried, frankly, that the U.S. military has not adapted to change or anticipated change well enough to succeed in the years ahead.
But, he told the graduates, they must have the wisdom to know what should be changed, and what should not.
Nature of War
While the character of war has changed, its fundamental nature has not, Dunford said. “War remains … a violent clash of wills in an environment characterized by fog, friction and chaos,” he said. “And because the character of war hasn’t changed, neither have the primary factors that lead to success on the battlefield.”
U.S. Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attends the National Defense University’s 2016 graduation ceremony on Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., June 9, 2016. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp
Any tactical success the United States has had over the past 15 years is due “to the endurance, the courage and the commitment of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and civil servants,” Dunford said. “It has been their willingness to go out, day after day to do what has to be done that made the difference.”
War is a clash of wills. Maintaining the will to fight is key to prevailing. Before any changes are made to the military, the chairman wants there first to be an examination of the effects those changes will have on the élan, the spirit, of service members. “That will to fight, that will to put yourself at risk, the willingness to put the needs of your buddy ahead of your own can’t be quantified; it comes from intangibles,” he said.
Intangibles
Units live or die on those intangibles, Dunford said. The soldiers and Marines who fought in the Belleau Woods in World War I did not have a lot of training or experience, he said, but the intangibles allowed them to stop the last German offensive.
The soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division became known worldwide as “the Rock of the Marne” for their defense of Paris in 1918, the chairman said, and the intangibles that led to their victories were handed down to the soldiers of the division who fought in Italy, France and Germany in World War II.
U.S. Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, congratulates graduates during the National Defense University’s 2016 graduation ceremony on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., June 9, 2016. DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp
“We do need to adapt to change … but at the end of the day, we’re not going to be defined by MRAPs, fifth-generation fighters, DD-1000s or cyber capabilities,” Dunford said. “What we wear, what we shoot, what we drive and what we fly, that’s not who we are. All those things … will change again in the future in ways we can’t imagine.”
The foundation of American military success “is actually no different than why we were able to survive and succeed in World War I, despite the leadership’s inability to recognize what needed to change, despite the leadership’s inability to adapt during a war, there was still success,” Dunford said.
“We are able to do what we do today for the same reason we were able to do it in World War I, and that’s because we are fortunate enough to lead individuals who have the will and the courage to endure and prevail, because they trust you and they trust themselves,” the chairman said.
He told the graduates that as they move to their next assignments, they need to lead in such a way as to “foster those intangible qualities which make the difference — they made the difference in the past and they will make the difference in the future.”
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interesting
First sentence of section, “Nature of War,” is that a misquote? The article says the General said the character of war has changed and then it quotes him as saying the “the character of war has not changed.” Trouble is nature and character are synonyms. If I was his speechwriter I would have said, while the means of war has changed, its essential character as a “clash of wills” has not. War remains a human endeavor.
While the character of war has changed, its fundamental nature has not, Dunford said. “War remains … a violent clash of wills in an environment characterized by fog, friction and chaos,” he said. “And because the character of war hasn’t changed, neither have the primary factors that lead to success on the battlefield.”
As a former Marine during the Vietnam Era and past Commander of my local Masonic War Veterans group whom do I contact to find out about obtaining the “Vietnam Vets. Memorial” pin in bulk?
Dear General Dunford,
I’d like to make a comparison to your speech for NDU grads in June of this year. My post refers to the United States of America “Incorporated” (the imposter) versus the newly re-born United States Republic. Yes, it’s a republic, NOT a democracy, fellow Americans!
Speaking of “throwing the baby out with the bathwater,” maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to throw out that filthy bathwater which makes up most of the current administration and congress.
Many of us are ready to serve and protect this country. We see the enemy within and will squash it. We are anxiously awaiting the announcement of the New Republic. When is this going to happen? We respect that there is a great deal of planning involved and timing is everything but patience wans… Thousands are already awake and soon millions more will be joining us in our understanding of how we have been deceived by our own politicians and leaders, by banking cartels, compromised leaders of state within and without our country, plus many others in their desire to destroy our country and murder our people — men like George Soros.
We’ve been told that you are the person we can trust and with whom this major historical turnaround will start.
We are aware of the corruption, greed, and evil that has permeated this country so deeply and for so long that our anger and frustration is turning to a powerfully strong determination to destroy that evil and Make This Country Great Again (hmmm, where have I heard that before)?
Throwing out the “dirty bathwater” is only the beginning of what we have to accomplish to build a new country we can be proud of again. We want to bring back our country’s integrity, our rights and true freedom for all, plus take care of and help inspire personal responsibility in all Americans. Our task also includes loving our fellow brothers and sisters across the world.
The spark to start this purifying fire is the announcement of the New Republic, guided by the original Constitution, not the devious imposter. Please, sir, do us justice and bring this about. May God Bless You.
Please see the link below…
http://www.dinarrecaps.com/our-blog/more-news-rumors-and-opinions-sunday-afternoon-8-21-16
hi salu mr gen dunford im un problem money pour my workd
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It’s time for our Marines to come home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Let’s get back to our roots General…..the sea that is…..
As a Marine who served proudly from 1966 to 1971
with two tours overseas ( 2/68-2/69 DMZ Vietnam )
and then Off the coast with BLT 1/9 ( 4/71 – 6/71 )
I believe that I can say without any regret that we have lost
way too many Americans in this ongoing fight.
As a U.S. Congressman once asked at a House hearing
Armed Services Committee, ” Do we have a secure footing
in either country,” the DoD representatives all stated no !
Message to the Joint Chiefs of Staff…..It’s time !
Thank you and God bless our Troops everywhere.
“And because the character of war hasn’t changed, neither have the primary factors that lead to success on the battlefield.”
Spoken like a true leader.