DOD’s budget request expected on Capitol Hill next month will prioritize technology, innovation, research and development and make “tough choices” to cut other items, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Friday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, according to a transcript.
“To ensure our finite resources advance our highest [National Defense Strategy] priorities and make the most of every taxpayer dollar, we are divesting from legacy systems and lower-priority activities,” he said. “At the same time, we are implementing aggressive reforms to free up time, money and manpower in all that we do. This will continue in the FY 2021 budget.”
Esper pointed to developments in areas such as acquisition reform, including the Air Force’s pitch days.
“The services are experimenting,” he said. “That’s good, and we encourage that.”
The administration is due to deliver its budget request to Capitol Hill Feb. 10, just as installation and community leaders are convening in San Antonio, Texas, for ADC’s Installation Innovation 2020.
DOD photo by Lisa Ferdinando
Snap of the Week
Naval Academy plebes climb the Herndon Monument, a tradition symbolizing the successful completion of the midshipmen’s freshman year. The class of 2027 completed the climb in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 11 seconds. Navy photo by Stacy Godfrey
