The Department of Defense (DoD) has come under increased scrutiny in recent years due to poorly performing acquisition programs and massive budgetary requirements. In addition to a challenging economy, prolonged conflict since 2001, and a US...
The U.S. Army, after years of false starts and unfilled promises, is about to make good on its commitment to field an unmanned aerial vehicle system at the maneuver brigade level. Called the Shadow 200 tactical UAV (TUAV), it promises to...
The Iguaza Falls, a once popular international tourist destination in the northeast corner of Argentina, is one of most beautiful places in South America. Located in the Tri Border Area (TBA), which is comprised of Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, Foz de...
This monograph examines the ability of the United States Army to shape the battlefield without the use of conventional landmines. The United States must determine alternatives to conducting warfare without the use of landmines. The humanitarian...
Though the US is physically located in the Western Hemisphere, for most of its history, policy toward the South American countries that share this region has taken a distant second to Euro-centric issues. One of the few areas of concern that has...
Colombia remains one of the most troubled countries in South America. The continued export of drugs coupled with a significant insurgent threat and increased violence against civilians, signals a crisis capable of disrupting the entire region....
Army Base Operations (BASOPS) are burdened by an aging infrastructure and smaller workforces. Increases in operations tempo and less funding make installation management more challenging. To provide guidance in execution of the BASOPS mission, the...
The crux of the debate as to whether the United States (US) should immediately field space weapons is not whether another nation will eventually field like weapons of its own. Rather, the primary issue is whether an immediate space weaponization...
The Army recognizes that a medium-weight contingency force would be well suited to meet national security requirements for the twenty-first century. This medium-weight force would have an ability to deploy more quickly than heavy armor formations,...
Commercial firms have operated on the battlefield in support of combatants since antiquity. This monograph examines the efficacy of current US Army doctrine and practice for contingency contracting. The Army's contingency contracting program is...
In his book Breaking the Phalanx, Colonel Douglas A. Macgregor raises important questions as to the future role of land power in the national strategy of the United States. Despite directing much of his discussion toward current Army corps/division...
In the post 9/11 world, the U.S. must focus its security efforts on everything from airports to al-Qaeda. With resources stretched thin and priorities focused on prosecuting the Global War on Terror (GWOT), our current government structures and...
The United States agricultural industry generates more than $1 trillion in annual economic activity and provides an abundant food supply for the United States and other countries. Since the 9/11 attacks, the United States government has recognized...
Iran in the 1950s was in the cross hairs of the Cold War power struggle between the US and USSR. Strategically located, Iran became critical in the foreign policy endeavors of the Eisenhower Administration in the Middle East. After the decision to...
Since the end of the Cold War, the United States government has increasingly deployed its Army forces in support of global stability and support operations. Based on the 2010 Department of Defense Review and the Department of Defense Directive...
The United States Army Reserve (USAR) apportions approximately 37 percent of the end strength of the total Army to fill the mission requirements necessary of the go to war Army. However, the total funding outlay provided to the Army Reserve MILCON...
"$FREE CASH NOW$! No credit? Not a problem, Bankruptcies OK." Misleading or questionable ads like these are common in the military community. Additionally, indebtedness among service members is on the rise and has significantly impacted readiness...
Large portions of recent Army budgets have been allocated for Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), including more than two billion dollars from 1989 to 1995. These allocations have been made in anticipation of savings in annual operating costs,...
This thesis examines the tactical employment of decoys. The Army invested approximately $7.5M into fielding multispectral (visual and thermal) tactical decoys. Initially, many company commanders were reluctant to include the decoys in their...
Organized crime is becoming a large-scale business that is conducting global commerce for the trafficking of illegal services and products as well as developing the associated supply chains. Criminal organizations are conducting commerce across...