The Joint Staff

September is Suicide Prevention Month. A topic that I take personally because it relates to our Joint Force’s greatest strength: OUR PEOPLE. The U.S. military is strong because of those who choose to serve every single day, whether in and out of uniform…because of their family members that support them on the home front. This is something we cannot take for granted. The Department of Defense is investing in significant research and resources to prioritize unimpeded access to behavioral and mental health for our people. We are also encouraging those who need help to ask for it. As our Secretary of Defense has stated, “It takes strength to ask for help”. The work our Services have dedicated to preserving our forces has not gone unnoticed, but we must continue to do more. One person lost to suicide is one too many. https://lnkd.in/dUfkzXFG

Joint Professional Military Education for our senior noncommissioned officers is critical in this increasingly complex global security environment. The knowledge they take away from the GATEWAY course, implemented through their leadership styles, will prepare the force today for tomorrow’s conflicts.? ? Hosted by the National Defense University in Washington, DC, the GATEWAY Course provides resident education to selected enlisted personnel of Department of Defense Services and the U.S. Coast Guard to meet the demands of emerging and future operating environments in support of the Joint Warfighting Concept. ? GATEWAY reinforces joint perspectives while preparing our most qualified enlisted service members for leadership challenges at the tactical and operational level. ? I firmly believe the expertise and leadership of our senior enlisted will be the guiding force in future conflict that will enable our leaders to make decisions and our service members to respond when the Nation calls. ? I value the opportunity to address every class with my Senior Enlisted Advisor emphasizing the importance of their joint resident education and the critical need for their continued leadership amongst the ranks.

Today, the United States faces multiple adversaries that are increasingly coordinating their efforts to reshape the international order. Relatively new domains like space and cyber as well as a more complex information environment alter the context. With these developments, we must adapt our understanding and application of deterrence, or we risk strategic failure. The challenge requires a comprehensive strategy that spans across multiple realms, incorporating conventional forces and addressing all domains. We need a deterrence strategy that fits today’s world—a strategy that is complex, networked, dynamic, adaptable, and integrated. The complexity of today’s global security environment necessitates a synchronized approach where the deterring effects of both nuclear and conventional power must work in unison. This is critical as we respond to the multifaceted threats posed by state and non-state actors alike. We must deeply understand the culture and cognition of those we aim to deter. We must adapt to the increasingly complex information environment. We must keep pace, both in technology and in policy. We must collaborate closely with our interagency partners, coordinating our collective resources and intelligence into strengthening our aligned approach. And we must utilize all instruments of government, whether through the precise application of hard power, the deliberate influence of soft power, or the seamless integration of both. And by taking these steps along with our allies and partners, we forge an integrated deterrence and can ensure a future where deterrence prevails, safeguarding peace and security for all. @US_STRATCOM

VALUE OF SERVICE | My military journey began over forty years ago. ? When I was in high school, my father—a retired Army colonel and Vietnam veteran—told me, “Four years in the military won’t hurt you.” Those words set me on a path of service that I could never have imagined. ? Over the years, the U.S. military has given me countless opportunities to learn, grow, and lead. ? I’ve flown over 20 different aircraft, traveled the world, and made friends with people from all walks of life. ? Most importantly, I’ve had the chance to contribute to something greater than myself. ? Why do I serve? To make a difference in the lives of others. ? Whether it is four years, four decades, or somewhere in between, I can’t think of a better way to serve than in the uniform of our military. #WhyIServe?United States Marine Corps United States Air Force US Army US Navy U.S. Coast Guard United States Space Force United States Department of Defense

The Secretary of Defense Strategic Thinkers Program (STP) is pivotal in shaping the future of our defense strategy by enhancing strategic thinking and adaptability among both military and civilian leaders. ? This program hosted by?Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)?is crucial not only for developing military personnel who can navigate complex, evolving threats but also for fostering collaboration between defense and non-defense sectors. ? By equipping participants with advanced analytical skills and innovative problem-solving techniques, the STP ensures that both military and civilian leaders can address multifaceted challenges and contribute to a more integrated, responsive national security strategy. ? The ability to think critically and communicate effectively across diverse fields enhances the ability of the?United States Department of Defense?to address future uncertainties head-on. ? You can learn more about the program at the following link:?https://sais.jhu.edu/