Archive for category: Thought Leadership

Open Letter on Defense Reform

Read the Open Letter on Defense Reform, signed by Arnold Punaro and other former top Defense Department officials and retired top-ranking military leaders.

 

Statement from Arnold Punaro on Army Commission Report

Statement on the National Commission on the Future of the Army

By Major General Arnold Punaro, United States Marine Corps Reserve (Retired)

Jan. 28, 2016

Background

The National Commission on the Future of the Army was mandated by Congress in the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act to examine the structure of the Army and policy assumptions related to the size and force mix.  The Commission, composed of eight distinguished members, presented its final report on Jan. 28, 2016 in its final meeting.  The report and other information on the Commission can be accessed at: http://www.ncfa.ncr.gov/

Brief Statement by Arnold Punaro

I commend the National Commission on the Future of the Army for its hard work in carrying out its mandate from the Congress. Their recommendations, if adopted after thoughtful analysis, will have considerable positive impact on the Reserve Components.

I am pleased to see that the commission considered, and is advocating for, better integration among the Army components through the use of Multi – Component force structure models.  These models can more effectively integrate and consolidate active and reserve units, streamline the Total Army Force, reduce cultural barriers between the components, enhance cost saving and keep critical combat experience in the Army.  The new Army leadership, Secretary Eric Fanning and Gen. Mark Milley, can make this work where prior leaders would have turned a deaf ear.

Full Statement by Arnold Punaro

I commend the National Commission on the Future of the Army for its hard work, thoughtful and comprehensive analysis in carrying out its mandate from the Congress.  They were charged with the daunting task of conducting a comprehensive study on the structure, size and force mix of the Army in an era of significant strategic risk with an uncertain fiscal future.  I applaud the distinguished members of the Commission for their continued service to the Nation in support of this important effort.  As both Chair and a member of a number of Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) boards and commissions over the years, I strongly support their recommendation to bring FACA into the information age and significantly reduce the red tape, bureaucracy, and counter-productive processes by which current FACA bodies are constrained.

The commissioners and their staff considered many inputs including existing statutes, policies, strategies, plans, force structure, and resources.  They held numerous meetings with key officials of the Department of Defense, civilian federal and state leaders, defense experts and thousands of Soldiers to identify and discuss challenges facing the Army and to find innovative solutions.  Their recommendations, if adopted after thoughtful analysis, will have considerable positive impact on the Reserve Components.

I am pleased to see that the commission considered, and is advocating for, better integration among the Army components through the use of Multi – Component force structure models.  These models can more effectively integrate and consolidate active and reserve units, streamline the Total Army Force, reduce cultural barriers between the components, enhance cost saving and keep critical combat experience in the Army.  The new Army leadership, Secretary Eric Fanning and Gen. Mark Milley, can make this work where prior leaders would have turned a deaf ear.

I extend my deep appreciation to the Commission and to Congress for recognizing the important role of our reserve components in our national defense strategy as has been borne out in 14 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan and in multiple national disasters at home. The Reserve Forces Policy Board will examine the report in detail, will deliberate upon the report’s potential impacts in open forum in March, and will make recommendations to the Secretary of Defense on those aspects of the report, relative to the Reserve Components, that it feels should be implemented.

Major General Punaro is a recognized expert in the defense community and a strong advocate of defense reform.  He served with the Senate Armed Services Committee for 24 years; 14 years as the Staff Director; 35 years in uniform in the US Marine Corps; 14 years as a senior executive of a Fortune 500 ® Company; 3 years as a small business owner; and as either chair or member on a number of defense advisory boards and commissions analyzing defense issues.  His comments are those of a private citizen and do not represent the Reserve Forces Policy Board, on which he is a member and chair, nor do they represent the Defense Business Board, on which he is also a member. 

 

Watch Arnold Punaro’s Appearance on Defense News TV

A roundtable of experts, including Arnold Punaro, recently appeared on Defense News TV to discuss the Pentagon’s efforts to reform the military and civilian personnel management.

The show originally aired on Jan. 3, 2016 at 11 a.m. on Channel 7 (WJLA) in Washington, DC.

Watch a replay of the program.

 

Arnold Punaro Testifies to the Senate Armed Services Committee

Arnold Punaro testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Nov. 17, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. ET

Topic:  The Urgent Need to Reform and Reduce DOD’s Overhead and Infrastructure

Read Punaro’s statement 

 

Reagan National Defense Forum: Watch Arnold Punaro Discuss the Defense Industrial Base

Reagan Defense Forum

November 7, 2015 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California

Watch the panel 7 discussion 

(The panel discussion begins at 6 minutes, 20 seconds on the “Live from the Air Force Pavilion” video)

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Photo Credits:  Reagan National Defense Forum

 

NDIA/Punaro Statement: Defense Industry Applauds Two-Year Budget Deal

Read the statement

 

 

Punaro Testimony to the National Commission on the Future of the Army

July 16, 2015

Thought Leadership

Written Testimony to the NATIONAL COMMISION ON THE FUTURE OF THE ARMY

By Major General Arnold Punaro, USMCR (Ret.)

July 16, 2015

Read the testimony (.pdf dcoument):

Testimony to Army Commission 07-16-15

 

Arnold Punaro Appears on Defense News TV to Discuss Carter Nomination for Defense Secretary

On December 7, 2014,  Arnold Punaro appeared  on Defense News with Vago Muradian to discuss the selection of  Ashton Carter to be the nominee for Secretary of Defense following the resignation of current Secretary Chuck Hagel.  Punaro offered his views on the strong qualifications Dr. Carter has for the position as well as the challenges inherent to the confirmation process. The televised program aired at 11 a.m. EST on December 7, on News Channel 7 – WJLA in Washington, DC.  

To watch a replay of the show please click here.

 

 

Center for a New American Security Conference: Watch Arnold Punaro’s Comments During Panel Discussion on the All-Volunteer Force of the Future

Center for a New American Security 

Conference on Civil-Military Divide and the Future of an All-Volunteer Force

Nov. 20, 2014

Watch the Video Replay

 

 

Upcoming Event (Nov. 20): Arnold Punaro to Speak at The Center for a New American Security Conference

The Center for a New American Security Conference  (CNAS)

Civil-Military Divide and The Future of the All-Volunteer Force

November 20, 2014  9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The Willard InterContinental Hotel

Washington, DC

Arnold Punaro will be part of the panel for the “Redesigning the All-Volunteer Force of the Future” session.

For more information and to register for the event, please call CNAS at 202-457-9427