Science in defense.

• Author: De Graff, Christian
• Position: READERS' FORUM: VIEWS ... COMMENTS ... SUGGESTIONS - Letter to the editor

* Thanks for writing the November 2008 article, "Scholars Give Defense Department Failing Grade." I retired from the Army a year ago and I started working for Lockheed Martin Simulations and Training Support in January 2008. Before I retired, I had seen this same short-term focus in many other areas. The reasons for this are many, and could possibly be worth a study of its own.

It reminds me of the story of a group of folks setting off to drain a swamp. Everyone goes into the swamp to do their part in draining it, until they find themselves surrounded by alligators. Even the best people get consumed in fending off the attacks. The alligators keep coming and the swamp doesn't get drained. Of course, it is clear from dry land, the alligator problem would take care of itself, if they would only drain the swamp.

So, as noted in your article, perhaps a root cause of the short-term focus is a Herculean effort, by many superb people (military and civilian) to solve the latest problem--be it improvised explosive devices, better body armor, new vehicles, rotary wing missile counter measures or new tactics--for those soldiers, Marines, airmen, and sailors who are themselves, up to their neck in alligators.

We are often enamored by the latest technological widget and our procurement system is designed to buy "things," not services. The solution isn't always a better widget. Sometimes the solution is more people (such as human terrain teams, or more civil affairs, or more military intelligence) properly trained (immersed in the culture, plus survival skills, negotiation skills) and technologically enabled. Sometimes, it is use of technology to enhance training that is needed. Occasionally, the technology itself is the game changer. Unfortunately, when in the swamp, you grasp for the quick-fix solution, which as noted, is often the widget.

If one goes back to World War II, there were several big game changers sponsored by the government. The atomic bomb, radar, code breaking computers being at the top of the list. Fighting against an axis of countries, armed with similar weapons, who wore uniforms, and for the most part, followed known tactics, is quite a bit different than fighting against a foe who...