The U.S. military’s competitive edge is “eroding” thanks to nearly 16 years of war and uncertain defense spending, according to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford warned both the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services that the U.S. could lose its qualitative and competitive military edge. Dunford and Secretary of Defense James Mattis briefed the committees Monday and Tuesday, but the message was clear — the U.S. needs a stable defense budget to keep its dominant military status.
“The competitive advantage the United States has enjoyed is eroding,” Dunford told the House committee Monday evening. He reiterated this point during his Senate testimony, noting “it is eroding now.”
Much of the military’s loss is due to the “extraordinarily high level of operational tempo,” which has put a significant burden on U.S. forces. Dunford noted that a great deal of defense spending goes to ensuring near term readiness instead of improvements and upgrades.
