Eaglen: Esper Memos Reveal Defense Secretary as ‘Ambitious Reformer’

January 22, 2020

In two messages released to the Armed Forces since Jan. 1, Sec. Esper has highlighted “aggressive reforms” in the Pentagon, including shifting up to $5 billion from non-service defense agencies. Defense policy analyst Mackenzie Eaglen wrote in a Defense One column that these changes show Esper’s “intention to change how the Pentagon uses its money, people, and time.”
Eaglen, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, wrote that the memos have a variety of significance for the National Defense Strategy. Along with broader reform goals compared to his predecessors Robert Gates and Chuck Hagel, Sec. Esper is publicizing the Pentagon’s decision to retire weapons and gear to allocate the funding for other utilizations, particularly for investing in future research and development.
“Secretary Esper is also showing due diligence that could be used when making future arguments to boost defense top lines to fully resource the defense strategy,” she wrote.
ADC photo of Mackenzie Eaglen, left, by Will Noonan

January 22, 2020

Recent News

DCIP Now Accepting Project Proposals

DCIP Now Accepting Project Proposals

The DOD Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation is accepting proposals for the fiscal year 2024 Defense Community Infrastructure Program, according to a Thursday announcement. The full opportunity is listed on Grants.gov. DCIP is designed “to assist state and...

Report: Space Force Will Start Onboarding Reservists this Summer

Report: Space Force Will Start Onboarding Reservists this Summer

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman told Guardians the Space Force will begin bringing full-time reservists into the force this summer, Military.com reported, citing an internal memo. Saltzman said the process will take time. “We want all reserve space...

Snap of the Week

Snap of the Week

Spectators tour a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 91st Air Refueling Squadron March 28 during the Tampa Bay AirFest practice show at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Tampa Bay AirFest features a variety of aerial performance and static aircraft displays aimed at...

Three Leaders Named Defense Community National Champions

Three Leaders Named Defense Community National Champions

The Association of Defense Communities named three local leaders as national Defense Community Champions: Jana Evans, San Antonio Area Manager, Soldiers’ Angels, Alamo–San Antonio Region Elizabeth Hartman, Commander, American Legion Post 539, Eastern North Carolina...

Corvias Joins Certification Program for Healthy Homes

Corvias Joins Certification Program for Healthy Homes

Corvias is now the largest participant in a new certification program from the International WELL Building Institute that helps identify and measure ways that homes can support residents’ health and resilience, through factors such as air, water, light, thermal...

PAST STORIES