A roadmap for US military innovation based on the Navy’s history of success through civilian-military collaborations
The US military must continually adapt to evolving technologies, shifting adversaries, and a changing social environment for its personnel. In American Defense Reform, Dave Oliver and Anand Toprani use US naval history as a guide for leading successful change in the Pentagon.
American Defense Reform provides a historical analysis of the Navy during four key periods of disruptive transformation: the 1940s Revolt of the Admirals, the McNamara Revolution in systems analysis, the fallout from the Vietnam War, and the end of the Cold War. The authors draw insights from historical documents, previously unpublished interviews from four-star admirals, and Oliver’s own experiences as a senior naval officer and defense industry executive. They show that Congress alone cannot effectively create change and reveal barriers to applying the experience of the private sector to the public sector
Ultimately, Oliver and Toprani show that change can only come from a collaborative effort between civilians, the military, and industry, each making vital contributions. American Defense Reform provides insights and practical recommendations essential to reforming national defense to meet future demands.
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Foreword by Adm. Bill Owens (US Navy, ret.)
Preface
National Security Leaders from 1945 to 1993
Introduction
Part I. What Happened?
1. The 1940s and the Revolt of the Admirals
2. The 1960s and the McNamara Challenge
3. The 1970s and Unfinished Business
4. The 1980s and Preparing for Life after the Cold War
Part II. What Is to Be Done, by Whom?
5. Political Appointees
6. Congress
7. Private Industry
8. Achieving Change
Conclusions and Recommendations for the Future
Appendix A: Discussion with Adm. Arleigh Burke, USN (Ret.), Chief of Naval Operations, 1955–61
Appendix B: Discussion with Adm. James Russell, USN (Ret.), Vice Chief of Naval Operations, June 1958–September 1961
Appendix C: Discussion with Adm. George Anderson, USN (Ret.), Chief of Naval Operations, 1961–63
Appendix D: Discussion with Adm. David McDonald, USN (Ret.), Chief of Naval Operations, 1963–67
Index
About the Authors
Reviews
"Books calling for reform in the Defense Department are now commonplace. But only Oliver and Toprani have pegged correctly the crucial dimension of reform. . ."—Hon. John J. Hamre, former deputy secretary of defense, and president and CEO of the Center for
Strategic and International Studies
About the Author
Rear Adm. Dave R. Oliver, USN (Ret.) is a former chief of staff of the US Seventh Fleet and former COO of EADS North America Defense Company, Inc. He is the author of A Navy Admiral’s Bronze Rules: Managing Risk and Leadership.
Anand Toprani is an associate professor in the Department of Strategy & Policy at the US Naval War College. He is the author of Oil and the Great Powers: Britain and Germany, 1914-1945.
