Page 4 - The Dispatch May 2019

TEXAS MILITARY DEPARTMENT
FROM THE TOP

COMMENTARIES FROM TEXAS MILITARY DEPARTMENT LEADERS

LETHALITY FOCUS KEY

TO CONTEND WITH

NEAR-PEER THREATS

COL. MAX KRUPP
TEXAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD G3

The contemporary operating environment has shifted from manders and their formations must be able to operate, sus-
population-centric counterinsurgency operations to compe- tain themselves and communicate in expeditionary environ-
tition with near-peer adversaries. The Joint Force’s techno- ments to compete against near-peer competitors.
logical overmatch has eroded after nearly two decades of
sustained conflict. Great power competitors have closed the Lethality is a key consideration in the future employment of
gap as our focus has been on combating violent extremist forces. At the strategic level, the “Global Operating Model”
organizations (VEOs). Every domain – air, land, sea, space for the Joint Force consists of four complementary layers:
and cyberspace is now contested. contact, blunt, surge and homeland forces. The ARNG and by
extension the TXARNG has roles to play in each one of these
Large-scale ground combat operations are now more like- layers. ‘Contact’ forces apply pressure against an adversary to
ly than at any time since 1991. Near-peer adversaries can deter potential conflict. ‘Blunt’ forces are used if deterrence
exploit friendly capability gaps more lethally than current fails and there is a need to delay, degrade, or deny adversary
opponents in Afghanistan or Iraq. The Total Army, consisting objectives. ‘Surge’ forces are deployed to exploit success and
of all three components, must build readiness mindful of manage conflict escalation. Lastly, every TXARNG unit has a
large-scale ground combat requirements. The Army National vested interest in defense of the homeland; whether it’s di-
Guard (ARNG) has experienced four phases of development saster response or protecting the Southwest border.
becoming an operational reserve and the Total Army’s com-
bat reserve. The fourth evolutionary shift, ARNG 4.0, requires Army values are the bedrock of our profession. Agile and
enhanced readiness to meet increased operational demands lethal forces are required to defend and advance American
and reduce post-mobilization time lines. The TXARNG will re- interests at home and abroad. These values underpin all we
main at the forefront of building ready units to support the do, particularly the building of holistic combat readiness and
ARNG 4.0 philosophy. At the heart of this drive for readiness lethality. The ARNG will continue to build the discipline and
is lethality. skill sets to win our nation’s wars and protect our state in
times of crisis. Improvements to our weapons and vehicles,
Lethality begins with mastering the fundamentals: honing in- distributed mission command systems, and increasing Sol-
dividual warrior skills into muscle memory through sustained dier lethality propel us forward into the future as a fighting
repetition. At the individual level, our Soldiers must be phys- force.
ically fit, proficient in their assigned weapons systems and
masters of their military occupational specialty. Leaders at As Former Secretary of Defense, General Mattis said, “We
echelon must develop systems to build the physical, mental Americans have no God-given right to victory on the battle-
and emotional toughness in our individual Soldiers. Lethal- field. We need you, my fine young National Guardsmen, at
ity is a capability but also a mindset that enables Soldiers the top of your game. Lethality begins when we are physi-
to compete, fight and win in a decisive action environment. cally, mentally and spiritually fit to be evaluated by the most
Lethal units must strive for Mission Essential Task (MET) pro- exacting auditor on Earth – and that auditor is war.”
ficiency. MET proficiency allows a commander to employ - DUTY HONOR TEXAS -
his/her unit is accordance with its designed purpose. Com-

4 TheDISPATCH May 2019