Army Transformation

As the United States enters a new century its army confronts the difficult problems associated with transformation in an uncertain world. Moreover the strategic environment makes it entirely unclear where or when or for what strategic purposes U.S. ground forces will find themselves committed to battle in coming decades.1 Yet both the strategic environment as well as the harsh lessons of the past have a direct bearing on why the Army has begun the processes of transformation.2 The study of the past cannot lead to prediction as to the nature and conduct of war in the 21st century but it does underline that sometime in the future the Army will find itself committed to a major conflict. Moreover the nature of the current strategic environment suggests the parameters within which the future Army will have to operate. Finally history is crucial to understanding what factors and approaches might best prepare the Army to meet future threats.