[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 60 (Wednesday, May 13, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E847-E848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTRODUCING H.R. 3845 TO CREATE A JOINT FORCES COMMAND

                                 ______
                                 

                   HON. WILLIAM M. ``MAC'' THORNBERRY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 13, 1998

  Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I believe that one of the most 
important, and in many ways most difficult, challenges facing our 
government and our Nation over the next few years is the transformation 
of our national security organizations to meet our security needs of 
the next century. Toward that end, I have introduced H.R. 3845, to 
create a Joint Forces Command in the U.S. military.
  Inside and outside of government, there is widespread recognition 
that the world security environment has changed and that our security 
structures will have to change as well. Throughout history, nations 
that have prepared to fight the last war have paid the price. Nations 
that recognize changing conditions, develop new technologies and 
doctrines, and exert the institutional discipline to overcome the 
natural resistance to change have had the advantage.
  The threats to our security are changing--which is not to say they 
are lessening. There is less risk of a nuclear war with Russia, but 
there continue to be many nations seeking nuclear weapons. The chemical 
and biological threat is growing. Conflicts in all parts of the world 
are more troubling as they are brought into our living rooms and as the 
world becomes more interdependent.
  Meanwhile, technology is advancing at a dizzying pace, creating both 
new dangers and opportunities. Worldwide commerce is becoming dependent 
upon space, just as it was dependent on the oceans in the past. But 
limited budgets and uncertainty as to our role in the world, added to 
the institutional resistance to change, place doubt on our ability to 
adapt to meet future challenges.
  One thing is certain: Change is happening all around us, and it will 
continue to happen. We will have to be prepared to deal with it; the 
only question is whether we will be prepared in time.
  We must rethink all of our security structures, not just the 
military. Our diplomatic, nuclear energy, and international economic 
efforts must all be part of a new approach. But I fear that 
bureaucratic self-interests, fighting for scarce resources, focusing on 
day to day problems, and the lack of urgency will conspire to prevent 
the kind of timely transformation which is required.
  This kind of transformation in the military requires changes in 
process, culture, organization, doctrine, as well as taking advantage 
of technology. The role for Congress in this transformation is 
obviously limited. But just as in the past with Goldwater-Nichols, the 
Congress's role is indispensable. H.R. 3845 would take one small, but 
significant step toward making sure we make the transformation which is 
required of us.
  Since 1991, the Atlantic Command has responsibility for training, 
force integration and

[[Page E848]]

force provider, in addition to having the geographic responsibility for 
the Atlantic Ocean and the Supreme Commander of NATO. Currently, there 
is no permanent joint experimentation process. Each of the services has 
its own.
  My bill would create a Joint Forces Command, similar to the way 
Congress created the Special Operations command in 1991. The Joint 
Forces Command would be the force provider for the geographic CINC's, 
oversee joint training and experimentation, and coordinate and 
integrate the service battle labs.
  Goldwater-Nichols pushed the military into jointness in carrying out 
military operations. We do not have the level of jointness needed to 
prepare for military operations. We also do not have a permanent joint 
experimentation process to help us make smart procurement decisions and 
to develop joint doctrine, both of which will be indispensable.
  Since the QDR and NDP reports, virtually every witness before the 
National Security Committee, who has been asked, has acknowledged that 
this transformation process is one of the most important and one of the 
most difficult challenges our country faces over the next few years. 
DOD witnesses have testified that these issues are being considered and 
worked by each service. I do not want to replace that. I do want to 
bring the service's work together, and the Joint Forces Command will 
help to focus these variety of initiatives into an efficient, joint 
force.
  I hope that this proposal will spawn others. I hope that Congress and 
the military and outside experts will engage in full and fruitful 
dialogue about where we need to go and how we can get there. My goal is 
to make sure that Congress fulfills its responsibilities to see that 
this transformation takes place so that we can continue to provide for 
the common defense into the next century.

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