The U.S. Army Is In Great Shape. Let’s Not Screw It Up (From Forbes)

Although the Trump administration isn’t likely to be remembered fondly by most historians, some U.S. institutions actually benefited from the 45th president’s tenure. A case in point is the Army, which ended the Obama years with declining readiness and a faltering modernization program. Today, the Army is aiming to achieve the highest rate of readiness in two-thirds of its brigade combat teams. The Army’s fiscal 2021 procurement budget is up 60% from four years ago, and the R&D budget is up 70%. Trump’s formula for fixing the nation’s oldest military service was simple: give it more money, and avoid getting it involved in new wars. However, the formula probably wouldn’t have worked without a cohesive leadership team at the Department of the Army that stuck with a coherent, practical plan. The Biden administration should stick with the plan too. I have written a commentary for Forbes here.