Midrats Episode 721: Reforming the Pentagon, with Gary Anderson
Apr 28, 2025
50:57
With each new administration, there is opportunity for change and reform. In the new Trump Administration, reform isn’t seen as a secondary effect of a leadership change but as a requirement.What reform options should the new Pentagon leadership explore under the Trump Administration?
Joining us to discuss this and related topics is Gary Anderson, Colonel, USMC (Ret.).
A starting point for our conversation will be his recent article in The American Spectator, Real Military Reform Begins: Will Pete Hegseth be able to reverse our military’s decline.
Gary retired as the chief of staff of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. He served as a special adviser to the deputy secretary of defense. He is an adjunct professor at George Washington University.
Summary
In this episode, Sal and Mark engage with Gary Anderson to discuss the current state of America's military, focusing on the need for reform and the implications of the Goldwater-Nichols Act. They explore the challenges facing the Marine Corps and Navy, the importance of revitalizing the defense industrial base, and the recent uptick in military morale and recruitment. The conversation also critiques the Force Design 2030 initiative and emphasizes the need for a more effective military education system and logistics support.
Takeaways
00:00: Introduction to Military Reform and Change
02:35: The State of America's Military
10:42: Challenges in Military Education and Careerism
18:36: The Need for Honest Feedback in Military Leadership
26:16: Revitalizing the Defense Industrial Base
29:15: Addressing the Crisis in Submarine Maintenance
32:12: Revitalizing the Fleet: Innovative Solutions for Shipbuilding
36:18: The Drone Dilemma: Quality vs. Quantity in Warfare
41:04: Logistics in Modern Warfare: Lessons from the Past
45:17: Morale in the Military: A Shift in Attitude
51:15: Leadership Changes: Navigating New Directions
54:00: Accountability in Military Decisions: The Need for Integrity
58:44: War Games and Military Strategy: The Importance of Honest Analysis
Joining us to discuss this and related topics is Gary Anderson, Colonel, USMC (Ret.).
A starting point for our conversation will be his recent article in The American Spectator, Real Military Reform Begins: Will Pete Hegseth be able to reverse our military’s decline.
Gary retired as the chief of staff of the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. He served as a special adviser to the deputy secretary of defense. He is an adjunct professor at George Washington University.
Summary
In this episode, Sal and Mark engage with Gary Anderson to discuss the current state of America's military, focusing on the need for reform and the implications of the Goldwater-Nichols Act. They explore the challenges facing the Marine Corps and Navy, the importance of revitalizing the defense industrial base, and the recent uptick in military morale and recruitment. The conversation also critiques the Force Design 2030 initiative and emphasizes the need for a more effective military education system and logistics support.
Takeaways
- America's military has been adrift for some time.
- The rot in military effectiveness goes back decades.
- The Goldwater-Nichols Act has had unintended consequences.
- Careerism and ticket-punching are detrimental to military readiness.
- Morale among military personnel is currently high.
- The defense industrial base needs revitalization to keep up with adversaries.
- Military education has shifted focus away from essential warfighting skills.
- Logistics has been neglected in recent military operations.
- War games should not be used to validate military concepts without scrutiny.
00:00: Introduction to Military Reform and Change
02:35: The State of America's Military
10:42: Challenges in Military Education and Careerism
18:36: The Need for Honest Feedback in Military Leadership
26:16: Revitalizing the Defense Industrial Base
29:15: Addressing the Crisis in Submarine Maintenance
32:12: Revitalizing the Fleet: Innovative Solutions for Shipbuilding
36:18: The Drone Dilemma: Quality vs. Quantity in Warfare
41:04: Logistics in Modern Warfare: Lessons from the Past
45:17: Morale in the Military: A Shift in Attitude
51:15: Leadership Changes: Navigating New Directions
54:00: Accountability in Military Decisions: The Need for Integrity
58:44: War Games and Military Strategy: The Importance of Honest Analysis