Pentagon Deputy Says Innovation, Efficiency Key to Modernization

Arlington, VA, September 18, 1995 -- The Pentagon's number two official said that innovation and efficiency are the keys to future modernization of US military forces.

"We need new capabilities, new efficiencies and new innovations," Deputy Secretary of Defense John White told the delegates to the Air Force Association's National Convention.

White said the nation needs to build a combat-capable military force that is both innovative and flexible. He drew attention to the need to buy C-17s to replace C-141 transport aircraft and the F-22 fighter to maintain air superiority into the next century. He also cited the importance of the Air Force-Navy-Marine Corps Joint Advanced Strike Technology Program (JAST), which is aimed at developing a future multi-role strike aircraft with nearly 85 percent of its components common to the versions the three services will fly.

Precision munitions are also a high priority in the Pentagon's modernization plan, according to White. In speaking of recent operations in Bosnia, he praised the performance of the pilots and the capabilities of these highly accurate munitions. He said that "the accuracy is so great that we are no longer selecting targets, we are selecting aim points within targets."

On quality of life issues, White reiterated the administration's opposition to a proposal in the House designed to recalculate the retirement benefits of those now serving on active duty. The proposal, known as "High One," was passed in the House but may not survive a House-Senate conference committee review.

"We want to protect what our people deserve," said White, who called the proposal a "breach of faith" with service members.

In speaking of innovation and efficiency, White called for the Department of Defense to pay attention to the lessons from commercial industries, who have successfully spun off support functions that are not part of their core business.

The Department of Defense needs to look toward privatization of certain functions as well, he said, citing health, maintenance, and supply services as examples of areas that need to be reexamined.

Addressing the current infrastructure, White said he did not expect base closures beyond those already identified in the previous three rounds of the base closure and realignment process and that he does not foresee another round in this decade.