Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Strategy Essay Competition
Essays 2000

Foreword


It is an honor to introduce the winning entries in the 19^th annual Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Strategy Essay Competition. One principal benefit of professional military education is the opportunity, even the necessity, to think innovatively--not only in matters of parochial, tactical relevance, but also in matters of joint, strategic importance. As in the past, students representing the service colleges as well as the constituent colleges of the National Defense University have researched and written creative, persuasive, and significant essays on issues of national security that intrigued them.

It should be no surprise that first prize went to a military officer of one service attending the war college of another service and that one of the second prize winners was a foreign service officer. The Armed Forces have embraced the strategic imperative of jointness--a fundamental shift from service parochialism which is underpinned by the curricula offered to military and civilian students at our educational institutions.

Everyone interested in the national security landscape should read the essays in this volume, which cover politically-charged topics such as risk-taking versus casualty-aversion, ethical dilemmas posed by attacks on computer networks, humanitarian intervention, establishing a commercial reserve imagery fleet, and leveraging public affairs on the battlefield.

Although readers might not agree with all the views expressed by the authors, each essay explores the boundaries of conventional thinking and raises serious questions on the changing nature of war. I congratulate the five winners of the competition, their academic advisors, and their colleges for stimulating thoughtful debate. The Armed Forces reap the rewards of their efforts.

HENRY H. SHELTON
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff




Table of Contents  |  Charles K. Hyde