Green Bay Reporter

Dec 6, 2023

Today, Rep Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation, chaired a hearing titled "Back to the Future." The purpose of the hearing was to explore how America's history of innovation can inform the Pentagon's technological advancement in the future.

In his opening remarks, Chairman Gallagher emphasized the need to revitalize the defense innovation ecosystem. He acknowledged the vulnerabilities exposed by recent events, stating, "We've discovered many single points of failure. Right now, I think the war in Ukraine has revealed the brittleness of our munitions industrial base, and the list goes on and on." Chairman Gallagher expressed his hope that the witnesses present at the hearing could provide valuable insights into past cases of military innovation and the consequences of failing to innovate.

The witnesses at the hearing included Dr. Andrew Krepinevich, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute and Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security, Dr. Arthur Herman, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, and Col Mark Gunzinger, USAF (Ret.), Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

During the hearing, Chairman Gallagher posed several questions to the witnesses. He inquired about the military innovation case studies that they believed were crucial for the Secretary of Defense to understand. He also discussed the potential for a National Training Center in collaboration with close allies and addressed the cultural issues surrounding the promotion and empowerment of individuals to take intelligent risks.

The hearing provided an opportunity for an in-depth exploration of military innovation and the lessons that can be learned from the past. Chairman Gallagher highlighted the importance of looking backward to prepare for the future, stating, "While the essence, or nature, of war does not change, its character does seem to be changing in light of new technology."

Chairman Gallagher expressed his appreciation for the expertise of the witnesses present at the hearing. He thanked Dr. Andrew Krepinevich for his contributions to the field of military studies, including his book "The Origins of Victory." Chairman Gallagher also acknowledged Dr. Arthur Herman's extensive writing on topics such as Douglas MacArthur and the book "Freedom's Forged." Lastly, he recognized Col Mark Gunzinger for his significant contributions as the author of the Department of Defense's first transformation strategy.

The hearing served as a platform for a thoughtful discussion on military innovation and the importance of learning from past successes and failures. By examining historical case studies and understanding the evolving nature of warfare, policymakers can make informed decisions to ensure the United States remains at the forefront of technological advancements in defense.

To learn more, click on this link: https://gallagher.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-rep-gallagher-leads-citi-back-future-hearing