Prognostication

<p>Are the US Air Force and US Army envisioning and thus preparing for the same future of warfare? This paper analyzes this question through examination of the common canon of military theory shared by the services leadership statements funding decisions and service doctrines. The conclusion of this examination is the recognition that the services do not share a common vision of the future and consequently are preparing for different types of warfare. Each service views a different portion of the spectrum of conflict as their critical focus area. The Army sees Irregular and Fourth-Generation Warfare as the most likely military challenge of the future. Consequently it is shifting its priorities to align capability against that type of warfare while retaining significant capability in traditional combat. The Air Force sees itself as a dominant force in Third-Generation warfare and seeks to retain its and thus US dominance in that arena. The Air Force recognizes the need to develop capability in Irregular and Fourth-Generation Warfare but remains focused on what it views as more dangerous the Third-Generation threat.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>