American taxpayers expect that a trillion dollars annually allocated to national security activities should be enough to achieve global Peace through Strength.  Secretary Hegseth has already implemented a series of streamlining initiatives to redirect funds from non-lethal programs to new warfighter requirements. We must now align every taxpayer dollar in the defense budget to a lethal effect that will deter war or defeat enemies.

A Lagacy of Poor Performance

The current defense budget process is beset by sixty years of inefficiency and stagnation. The military services independently develop budgets for weapon systems based on traditional domains (land, sea, air) without considering alternative delivery of lethal payloads and effects by asymmetrical means including space, cyber, or even pagers. Military services propose over $140 billion annually for duplicative activities in research, development, test, and evaluation (RDTE) that may not translate into rapid procurement of new capabilities. The $168 billion spent on major defense acquisition programs results in decades of delays, outdated requirements, emerging vulnerabilities, and perpetual cost overruns by an undercapitalized and unmotivated defense industrial base.  Most alarming, the $300 billion spent on sustainment annually has resulted in lower mission-capable rates, deferred training, and deteriorated infrastructure.  We spend over a $100 billion annually on professional services by companies with no incentivize to innovate because they get paid royally by the hour regardless of performance. Even worse, Pentagon program offices are incentivized to spend every dollar each year by September 30, regardless of effect, so they can justify their budget in future budgets. Spending efficiency does not correlate to lethality. We must fix these inertial problems immediately to deter an adversary, whether they be a Nation-State, a terrorist, or a cartel.

A Fundamental Restructuring is Required

Implementing Secretary Hegseth’s vision requires the direct alignment of budget processes to the consequential effects that will deter and defeat and adversary. We can no longer afford duplicative capabilities that will not result in a realistic and tangible effect relayed to an adversary. Case in point - It’s time to reassess strategic deterrence options in the Western Pacific if an aircraft carrier strike group is an existential risk inside the second Island chain. We need an immediate analysis of alternatives to enhance the effect of deterrence to hostilit