To Implement Acquisition Reform, Empower Military Mavericks

AI Summary

The article argues that Pentagon acquisition reform depends on empowering personnel willing to challenge institutional habits and take intellectual risks. It says the military has pathways to buy commercial technologies quickly but lacks enough people skilled in using those authorities, limiting innovation for future warfare.

“I wanted disciplined but not regimented thinking. Commanders must encourage intellectual risk-taking to preclude a lethargic environment. Leaders must shelter those challenging nonconformists and mavericks who make institutions uncomfortable; otherwise you wash out innovation.”— James Mattis & Bing West, Call Sign ChaosFor the last decade, the Pentagon has had the authorities to buy commercially derived technologies at speed and scale, but not enough people who know how to use those authorities. Successive senior Pentagon leaders, both military and civilian, have asserted that these technologies will prove decisive in future wars. Panels, commissions, and directives created new pathways and the Pentagon’s The post To Implement Acquisition Reform, Empower Military Mavericks appeared first on War on the Rocks.