nerdgirl 0 #1 January 28, 2008 … or just who does the USAF think its main “peer competitor” is? With apologies to the USAF folks among us. Tom Hicks in today’s Washington Post reports, posts the incriminating PowerPoint slides (attached), & explains the jargon: “You may think that the United States' enemies are overseas. But that isn't always the way it looks from the Pentagon. Here, the Air Force [via its 2-star USAF Director of Communication, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force on “Strategic Communications” - nerdgirl] uses the jargon of modern warfare to discuss its competition with the Army and Navy. “Usually, it is China that U.S. officers describe as a ‘peer competitor’ -- that is, a real or potential adversary. But in these briefing slides, it is the other services that the Air Force is targeting. And this ‘Budget Battle’ is a ‘Zero Sum Gain’ [sic – on original PowerPoint brief] -- meaning that some services are going to win and some are going to lose. Hey, it's a ‘non-permissive environment’ (that is, hostile situation) out there.” More commentary at Small Wars Journal: USAF "Threat Estimate"? & Abu Muqawama: “Here we were, thinking ‘strategic communication’ meant the effort to win hearts and minds. Apparently it does, but those ‘hearts and minds’ belong to Congressmen and defense contractors.” Yes, public affairs failed here. Nonetheless, one is ultimately responsible for the content of their own slides. And yes, I realize (virtually) no MG actually makes his own slides. The retired Army LTC who fwd'd the link to me sarcastically quipped “God Bless the Air Force!” People may accuse Congress-folk of being lots of things, but they (& their staff) do have long memories. The Defense Department has a POM build underway and the services are beginning the next QDR process. In defense of MG Chambers, the message he likely intended to communicate is discussed here. VR/Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
