Gehman said he believes the unified commanders need a stronger voice in setting military requirements and in deciding acquisition strategies. Gehman, whose command is tasked with working out the path toward Joint Vision 2010, said potential adversaries would not confront the United States directly. The United States, therefore, needs an active, flexible strategy that allows the military to confront these new threats, he said. Sooner or later this equipment must be replaced. Gehman said U.S. forces must be modernized whether or not they are transformed.
Transformation is needed to shift to a smaller but more capable force.
Without this transformation, the United States will lose its ability to shape the international environment. He said DoD's report card on meeting these challenges is mixed. DoD and the services have moved ahead by enunciating their goals in Joint Vision 2010 and the service visions. Gehman said some new organizations have come into being. He cited specifically the Air Force's Air Expeditionary Force and the Army's Interim Force as steps in the right direction.