All three secretaries of the U.S. armed services believe that the government’s ability to hire and retain talented professionals will be a critical strategy to address U.S. challenges and threats.Army Secretary Eric Fanning, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and Air Force Secretary Deborah James discussed a number of national security challenges and innovation opportunities during a panel discussion hosted by the Center for a New American Security, according to an article published Thursday on the Army’s website.
Mabus said that military organizations should have broad and different sorts of thinking around cyber.
The secretaries agreed that talent recruitment and retention programs form a key part of the solution to the country’s need to develop a workforce that can adapt to future challenges.
James said she believes a hiring a diverse pool of talent comprised of personnel from different backgrounds, thought processes and disciplines will spur innovation.
The secretaries also pointed to budget instability as among the roadblocks to military modernization efforts and that various capability gaps have weakened the U.S. forces advantage in key areas.
